ROAD TO SEDALIA AND SOUTH DAKOTA: Flight 93 Memorial

Since we haven't had good wi fi coverage on our travels, our Blog gets a little behind, but we will try to catch up. I promised to share our visit to the Flight 93 Memorial with you. There are no words to convey to you our feelings as we toured the scene.

As the crash took place in rural farmland of Summerset County, PA, the setting for the Memorial is very peaceful , nestled in rolling hills.

At the formal memorial area, chronological displays greet you as you relive the horror of September 11, 2001-America will never be the same! Pictures and names stab your heart, as they are your son, daughter, child, brother, mom, dad, friend, co worker. Then you walk along a wall which is positioned along the "glide path" the plane took as it came over the hill, flipped over on it's side, and plunged into the ground creating a 25 foot crater killing all ALL on board! At the end of the wall are marble panels standing on end bearing each Heroes name engraved on it. Families and friends have placed various memorial tributes to the fallen-Birthday flowers for a daughter, a Rosary, a cross etc. below their loved ones name. There is an area you can look out of to see the exact location of the crash, and families have planted flags around a large bolder placed there.

The folks on that plane were plain, ordinary folks like you and me, but they are our HEROES! They ALL were part of the "plan" to take over the plane from the terrorists. One woman was talking to her Mother, and she suddenly said "I have to go now" as Todd Beamer gave the order to "LET'S ROLL "! Those on phones put them down and left them on so others could hear what was happening. They had all been pushed to the rear of the plane, and when the time came, they ALL went forward. Because of their heroic actions, our Nation's Capitol was spared! The Park Guards share their insights and information they learn as families visit and share their memories. As I said, There are really no words to truly express what we felt when visiting the sight. We mourn for their families and this Nation-May we NEVER forget the sacrifices these and thousands of others made on that fateful Day!

May God Bless and Keep ALL of you, Dear Friends and Family,