Pennsylvania - Flight 93 National Memorial

After leaving Allegheny Portage National Railroad Historic Site on July 7th, our last stop was Flight 93 National Memorial, which opened September 10, 2015.   As you can imagine, the events of 9/11/01 changed the American way of life in many ways.  This is a wonderful and sober memorial commemorating the lives of those lost on Flight 93.  There really isn't much to say that you probably don't already know about the details of 9/11, so I think this blog post will be mainly be photos of the location and both visitor centers - up on the hill and down at the crash site.  The actual crash site location can be seen from the lower memorial, but only family of crew and passengers are allowed to the exact site.  I will say the building itself is very unique...it reminds me of a pathway with straight lines and airplane wings.

First of all, vehicles of all kinds can access both visitor centers, so everyone can come to be part of this historic site.  The main visitor center is up on the hill and overlooks the crash site.  The visitor center is very modern in feel but build in such a way that as you walk to the crash site overlook, you are actually walking and the plane would have traveled.  It also shows the times of the other events of 9/11 on the sidewalk.

Inside, the center is a bit dark.  I think it could have used more lights, personally.  There are rows and rows of exhibits and since the park is fairly new, there are many people at both visitor centers.

There is also a very large gift shop at the main visitor center.  I bought myself a Flight 93 sweatshirt.  It was quite expensive, so hopefully some of the proceeds go toward something useful.

After you finish in the main visitor center, you can walk to the overlook and see the crash site from up on top of the ridge.  Between the main visitor center and the boulder is where the crash occurred.  The impact was 30 feet deep!  Just beyond and to the left of the hemlock grove was the debris field.  Below is a map to orient yourself of the park.  The photos above are the Visitor Center Complex built right on the flight path of Flight 93.  At the bottom tip of the Visitor Center Complex next to the round dot, you are now looking down onto the crash site.  These photos follow.

After leaving the main visitor center, you can either walk down the path to the crash site memorial wall or you can drive down there.  This area is called the Memorial Plaza and also in the same flight path as above.  Great care was placed in the creation of this site.

In this lower section where the crash occurred is the Memorial Plaza.  This consists of a visitor shelter, plaza and Wall of Names that is in line with the flight path and crash location.  There is also a wooden gate prohibiting persons who are not direct relatives of the victims, however, you can see the boulder.  It's between the gate and the boulder where the crash occurred.

This was a very humbling place to be.  You could feel the reverence here as American old and young paid tribute to those fallen few who made an impact at such a devastating time in American history.  There is also a "Tower of Voices" chime is the final part of the park that is still being build here and should soon be completed and dedicated on Sept 11, 2018.  The chimes inside the tower will be constructed of polished aluminum tubes ranging 8-16" in diameter and approximately 5-10' in length.

Artists Rendering

Current Progress on July 7, 2018
The grounds and landscaping are now starting to come together.

The Tower of Voices Wind Chime simulation sounds are here at the bottom of the page.  It's a very soothing and calming sound of peace and reflection.  We really enjoyed visiting this historic place and would encourage everyone to see it at least once in your life.  If you are interested in any detailed orientation videos of this site, click here.

Rest in Peace.