Keeping memory alive: Flight 93 ceremony celebrates lives lost

SHANKSVILLE ― Teaching the history of Sept 11, 2001, and the heroic actions of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 to millions of youth is vitally important to keep the memory alive of those who died on that day said speakers at the 22nd annual Service of Remembrance on Monday at the Flight 93 National Memorial.

The youth who were not here to experience Sept. 11, 2001, personally can see the example shared with America about service, heroism and sacrifice, they said.

This year's service was tied to a National Day of Learning virtual program shared with about 18,000 students from 30 states in the U.S. and two schools in Canada, produced by the National Park Service in partnership with the Friends of Flight 93 organization.

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"The Flight 93 story shared here is now interwoven into an important lesson about our nation's history," said Stephen Clark, superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial. "It is a memorial dedicated to honoring the memory of 40 individuals who, on September 11, 2001, acted with such bravery and without regard for themselves, ultimately thwarting an attack on our nation's Capitol."

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He thanked the families of the 40 passengers and crew for "sharing your loved ones with the world" and expressed how their loved ones' actions saved "an untold number of lives" as they prevented the terrorists from completing their intended mission of attacking the U.S. Capitol.

"The education of Sept. 11 is critical to the pledge many of us have made to remember the nation's largest international terrorist attack on American soil, and the innocent 2,977 people who were taken from us," Clark said.

"The Flight 93 example to the world, on this very important day of observance, is a story we are passing on to our American future."

Seeing the Flight 93 memorial for the first time

People came to Shanksville Monday from across Pennsylvania and the nation to be part of the annual Service of Remembrance in person, including high school students from Bedford County and parents who brought their children to learn more about the significance of the day.

Students from Northern Bedford High School said they are learning about terrorism in class and felt coming to the service was a way they can make sure the people will always be remembered and honored. Their current issues class teacher Andy Barton said he brings the students to the Flight 93 National Memorial so they can connect with the events of that day.

Jacqueline Griggs brought her children, 15-year-old Trayvon Bender and 8-year-old Kya Griggs, from their home in Shippensburg to Somerset County to see the Flight 93 National Memorial for the first time.

Trayvon said he learned about Sept. 11, 2001, and Flight 93 in school last year and has wanted to come to Shanksville since then. He said being at the memorial made more real the stories he learned in school, and he felt sorry for the families who lost their loved ones on the planes.

Jacqueline said she wanted her children to understand and respect what the 40 people on Flight 93 did for them and the country as a whole.

"I honestly don't want them to look at this as a sad day," she said. "We're here to celebrate these people who fought so we would not have another attack on us. We have to look at it in a positive way."

John Torres from North Carolina said he has come to Shanksville every year, except during COVID-19 pandemic.

"I come here because we need to remember that day," he said.

'What was, is and never will be'

After the 40 names of the passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 were read and the Bells of Remembrance rung after each name, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh chanted and read a traditional Jewish memorial prayer, then said a prayer for "strength, perseverance and compassion" to conclude this year's service.

"We have come today to remember what was, is and never will be," he said. "We recognize that an entire generation has been born that did not experience 9-11. Ours is the gift of memory, and with memory comes responsibility; the determination to share our stories with this next generation so that, through them, our loved ones continue to live.

"We mourn the generations that will never be, because of the loss of these precious souls, but yet are grateful because their bravery enabled untold human beings to be born who could learn to appreciate and honor their valor."

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Crash of Flight 93 remembered at Shanksville ceremony