Meyersdale teen, instructor build flag to hang in Homeland Security Newark office
MEYERSDALE ― From one Meyersdale Area High School graduate to another, a part of history will be remembered for generations to come.
Conner Shuck, a 2024 graduate of Meyersdale, volunteered to construct a wooden flag to honor the lives lost in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, when Flight 93 came down in Shanksville. With the guidance of Doug Horne, Meyersdale's tech ed teacher, Shuck took nine weeks to design and build the wooden flag. It is now on display at Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, New Jersey, next to a steel beam recovered from the attack on the World Trade Center.
More: PASSAR taking on a 'monumental' project
This project was made at the request of Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Rodger Werner, a 1992 Meyersdale graduate. Werner works out of the Newark, office. Horne admits he was shocked when Werner contacted him years ago to do the first project, but he said Werner still has family in Garrett.
"Years ago when he was working at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., he bought another American flag the kids built at the school," said Horne. "The flag is hanging there. He liked it so much, when he got this detail in Newark, he asked if I could do one for in his office at Newark. I said if he got the wood I could."He contacted the Rangers at the Flight 93 Memorial to get a tree from the site of the crash. They had this silver maple. He had it dropped off at the school. I took it to Dave Beckner Lumber in Bakersville and he milled and dried it in a kiln. He did it free of charge because he knew what the project was. He had a big part in the USS Somerset, donating all the hardwoods for the staterooms. He likes to be part of it because it represents Somerset County."
Volunteering for the job
Horne said Shuck asked to take the lead on the project.
"Conner helped me unload the wood and said he wanted to do the project," Horne said.
Shuck said he felt the importance of the project and wanted to be part of it.
"I knew that it meant a lot to people around us, to the firefighters and police who went to the scene, to the people of the community," he said. "It shows that Somerset County is known for more than maple syrup."
More: Looking for Fourth of July festivities? Here are some we've found
Shuck planed, jointed and glued the wood. The school's shop department has a new router and a program to design and cut out the stars.
"Rodger wanted it plain," Horne said. "He got it and asked Conner and me to sign the back of the flag with a brief explanation of what it was about for generations from now to understand its significance."
In a thank you letter sent to Shuck, the Acting Special Agent in Charge at HSI Newark, William S. Walker, thanked him and Meyersdale school for helping to honor the men and women lost on that day, according to a press release.
In the letter it said, “This American flag reminds our special agents that there are such people as you at Meyersdale Area School District who value their service to the people of the United States.”
Patriotism in his heart
"It makes me feel proud that I made something that will stick around for generations," Shuck said. "The plane that came down took off from that area, and for the people from this area. I felt pride in my family, family name and community when I signed it."
More: Somerset County Dairy Princess makes many appearances and promotions during reign
Conner is the son of Dale and Tonya Shuck, Meyersdale. He has a sister, Abby, and a brother, Colton. He is joining the U.S. Marine Corps this summer.
"Conner's joining the Marines and that takes a very special person. I'm proud of him. I had Conner's dad, mom and uncles in school. So it wasn't a shock for me that he's a hard-working kid," Horne said. "He has a brother in school yet and I hope this rubs off on him. I'm proud of our school and that my class got the opportunity to do this."
Shuck gives a lot of the credit to Horne.
"Mr. Horne was great. He was around in that time (Sept. 11, 2001) so I think this project moved him, too," he said. "I can't thank Mr. Horne enough for all his guidance and time in helping me with this project. He's a great shop teacher. He's very patient. I couldn't have done this without him."
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Special project puts Meyersdale teen's work in New Jersey HSI office
