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,

Mary Ann, Les & Pollybird.                 Blog 2-June 21, 2012

Wall of Heroes shows glide path of  plane

Rock denotes impact area

The Flag is still waving!

       

Leaving Milton

Les, Mary Ann and Pollybird Parks are off on their big adventure to Sedalia, MO. for the Wally Byam Caravan Club's International Rally! There is no place we would rather be in the middle of the summer than MO and their 95*days! However, this year we are promised full electric power so we can run our air conditioners-yeah!

But, before we left for our trip, we visited the "Fountain of Youth" in Lewes, DE, so check us out when we return. However, since we "eat our way across the states", our age wrinkles will be ironed out!!

We left Eagles Nest Campground, Milton, DE on Saturday, June 16  at 8:00 am as planned:-) it was a beautiful, sunny day to begin our trek to Summerset, PA where we would meet up with the rest of our our Airstream friends at the Hickory Hollow Campground. The drive was filed with BIG trucks and lots of BIG hills too! But we made it safely and the camp was very pretty, nestled into a "hollow" in one of the many hills around there. However, if we come home with one leg shorter than the other, you will know why:-) We enjoyed "Happy Hour" with our friends, and a yummy hamburger-hot dog cookout provided by our Caravan leaders, Will and Karen Kushto. After supper, three of us took off across the road to the campground "snack shack" for an "Evening With Jimmy Buffet" ! Well, not the REAL Jimmy Buffet, but his name was really Randy, and he did pretty good. It was a real "happening" was folks wondered in with their coolers, etc. and settled in for the night. No liquor license, but they served drinks and you made a "contribution". Jimmy handed out tambourines, Moroccos, and even a big cowbell, which I proudly rang when appropriate! I am now known as "cowbell ringer girl"-that's me!!!it was fun, and we were home before the sun set! Also, we discovered" deep fried pretzels with cheese to dip them in. You see  the remains on the plate:-) YUM!

   That's it for the first day. A very moving and humbling visit to the Flight 93 Memorial will be covered in  our next "chapter". Stay tuned!

            Blessings, Mary Ann, Les & Pollybird