2023 HEROES' WALK

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial invites community members and businesses to join us for the annual walk event on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Flight 93 National Memorial.

In 2022, the Friends raised funds to enhance the Western Overlook. The Western Overlook is a sacred space where the Flight 93 families had their first view at the crash site in September 2001. To preserve the historical significance of this area, we engaged landscape architects and specialists to design and execute this part of the living memorial.

Participants this year will have the opportunity to have the “First View” of the enhanced Western Overlook! At the conclusion of the walk, there will be a dedication ceremony. *(The walk will be approximately 3 miles.)

The 2023 Heroes’ Walk will raise awareness about the Memorial Groves at Flight 93 National Memorial. The Memorial Groves are 40 groves of 40 trees representing the forty passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93. Visitors primarily experience the Memorial Groves from the Allée Walk, which runs from the Visitor Center Complex and Memorial Plaza. This provides visitors with opportunities to reflect upon the quiet dignity of the forty groves.

• To ensure that the groves and cultural resources are preserved, we need your help to maintain and care for the groves and landscape surrounding it. All proceeds from the walk will support Memorial Groves.
• Although registration is closed, if you would still like to support the Memorial Groves at Flight 93, you can make a donation at www.flight93friends.org/donate and make your donation to 'Memorial Groves'.

Please contact Courtney, Communication & Special Events Coordinator at [email protected] if you have any questions.

*Registration is closed.

WAYS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

1. BUSINESSES SPONSOR “DENIM DAY”
2. WALK WITH US
3. WALK VIRTUALLY
4. BECOME A TEAM LEADER
5. MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION to the "Memorial Groves" Fund

ADMISSION

CHILDREN (12 & under) | $10

YOUTH (ages 13 – 17) | $15

ADULTS (18 & older) | $30

*All registered participants will receive a T-shirt. Virtual participants will not receive t-shirts.

REGISTRATION

ARRIVAL - 9:15 to 10 AM ET

WALK TIME - 10:03 AM to 12 PM ET

*The walk event starts at 10:03 AM, with participant registration beginning at 9:15 to 10:00 AM. Sign up is at the registration tent adjacent to the Memorial Plaza. Please follow event signs.

SPONSORSHIP | $1,000.00

Sponsorship partners will be recognized on the back of the event t-shirt, featured on Friends website, social media and event day signage. *No longer accepting sponsorship.

THANK YOU

2022 HEROES' WALK SPONSORS 

• D. Merl Tipton VFW Post
• Family of Lorraine Bay
• Fedex Ground
• Global/SFC Valve
• H.F. Lenz Company
• Hollern Insurance Agency
• Negley’s Water
• New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
• Susan Keller
• Suzanne Noble
• Terry L. Butler
• The Lukachinsky Family

DONATE TODAY

What is National Day of Learning?

The National Day of Learning – 'Teach to Remember' will be a virtual program hosted by Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial through Zoom. Friends and Flight 93 National Memorial are building 9/11 – Teach to Remember pre-recorded sessions/modules and registration.

Visit www.flight93friends.org/education/teach2remember for information and resources on the virtual programming and online registration.

FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93 PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF LEARNING

Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the official non-profit partner to the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial announces their commitment to educatingcurrent and future generations about the events of September 11, 2001. “We believe we have a responsibility to teach the story of the heroic actions of the passenger and crew of Flight 93, as well as the greater context of the events of the day” said Fred Lukachinsky, Friends Board President.

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. Since that time, over seventy-five million Americans have been born with no living memory of that day in history. Sadly, only 14 US states require 9/11 classroom curriculum or a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost. Friends and National Park Service staff are pro-actively engaging this new generation.

We have learned from educators, teaching the events of 9/11 can be challenging. Teachers either have no living memory of the day or find it difficult and overwhelming to find reliable resources for curriculum development. To help educators overcome these challenges, Friends are working in partnership with the National Park Service to create a National Day of Learning entitled, “Teach to Remember.”

“This is a project Friends are honored to sponsor. The National Park Service education team will be offering a full day of programming focused on students in grades 6-12. Curriculum will range from the greater context of the three attack sites, to the specifics events that occurred in Shanksville, Pa. The Moment of Remembrance will be live streamed from the Memorial, as well as live interaction with interpretive rangers” said Donna Gibson Executive Director, Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial.

The Teach to Remember curriculum will also feature an opportunity for students across the nation to share their writing in response to prompts about Flight 93 and 9/11.  Friends and National Park Service in collaboration with the National Writing Project will challenge students to publish from their perspective in response to the National Day of Learning. This “Write to Remember” activity is intended for schools, libraries, and home schools to share how Flight 93 story continues to inspire people.

“Friends and Park officials developed the National Day of Learning to connect with the next generation in a meaningful way,” says Gibson. Each year through an education scholarship, we partner with the National Park Service to offer ranger guided on-site educational programming for grades 4-12. In 2022, we jointly hosted over 10,000 students from all over Pennsylvania. In 2023, we want to expand beyond Pennsylvania and offer global programming.

The National Day of Learning - Teach to Remember will be hosted by Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial through Zoom. Additional information about registration will be added to Friends of Flight 93 website and resources for teachers will be added to the National Park Service website over the next several weeks/months.   

PRESS RELEASE

• Memorial Announces ‘Teach to Remember’; Virtual Day of Learning for September 11 | The National Park Service and the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial announce, ‘Teach to Remember,’ a virtual education program, as part of the evolving 9/11 ceremony at Flight 93 National Memorial.
  

2023 PARTNERSHIP

September 11 Observance 

2023 PINTS FOR PARKS

Friends of Flight 93 will Partner with Forbes Trail Brewing again this year!

National Public Lands Day will be on September 23, 2023. This is earmarked as the Nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, this celebration brings thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country.

• Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the non-profit partner to Flight 93 National Memorial will partner with the Forbes Trail Brewery to raise pints and funds to support Flight 93 National Memorial. 

• Friends invite the public to join them on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Forbes Trail Brewery where head brew master Mike Fahy will brew a limited special, Giving Back Pale Ale. 

More information on this event will be coming soon! Check back and connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on other events at Flight 93 National Memorial!

#Pints4Parks #Pints4Flight93

After each flag has flown, the flags are issued a Certificate of Authenticity by the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial and signed by the Superintendent of Flight 93 National Memorial and the Executive Director of the Friends of Flight 93.

The United States flags then can be purchased at Flight 93 Visitor Center Book Store. The sales of these flags go towards special projects and programs at Flight 93 #NationalMemorial.

Friends Under the Stars at Flight 93!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2023

Pollinator Party at Flight 93!

MAY 12 & 13, 2023

Friends and Flight 93 National Memorial Rangers used the living memorial as their focus for the two-day event. Friends invited children and parents to make wildflower cookies from clay, while Rangers hosted a discovery table talking about the trees that make up this living memorial. The two-days were a great learning experience for the young and the old alike.

Creating a Living Memorial

Before United 93 crashed at this site on September 11, 2001, the land was a former surface mine. Once scarred  by strip mining, the land was scarred once again by the crash of United 93 and the fire resulting from jet fuel's explosion.

When Paul Murdoch, the chosen architect hired to create a living memorial, visited this site, his vision was to heal the landscape from its previous damage and to create a living memorial to honor and remember the 40 passengers and crew members aboard United 93 for generations to come.

Pollinators have played a role in the healing of this sacred site. Pollinators help ensure that the natural habitat    and ecosystem of the memorial are environmentally restored. Over the last decade, volunteers have planted over 150,000 trees at Flight 93. Along with tree planting, our natural resource team also spreads native wildflower seeds around the planting sites. 

These trees and wildflowers have attracted native wildlife that now calls Flight 93 home. Over the years,  researchers have discovered that the success of the trees and wildflowers planted have attracted over 63 native bee species and 141 native bird species. In addition, the actions taken to plant trees and wildflowers have helped to environmentally restore this once scarred site and have created a living memorial.

Making Seedballs at Home

Want to complete the activities at home? Purchase wildflower seeds and download the instructions to complete these activities at home! The flat price includes shipping costs!

Additional Information

• To review the Pollinator Party press release, view here. 
• To read an article from The Daily American, view here.

Plant a Tree at Flight 93

2022 | 150,000 TREES PLANTED! 

What is Plant a Tree?

Planting a National Memorial

Additional Reforestation Information

Plant a Tree 2022 Press Release

4/5/2022 - National Memorial to Complete Ten Year Reforestation Project

Orientation Videos

Please visit nps.gov/flni to watch a unique Plant a Tree at Flight 93 National Memorial welcome message and a safety orientation.

Our Core Reforestation Partners

For a full list of our reforestation partners (2012-2022), please visit flight93friends.org/events/reforestationpartners.

VOLUNTEER-IN-ACTION

Friends partner with the National Park Service in providing volunteer support for annual programs and events held at Flight 93 National Memorial. Some of these events (*indicated by asterisks) are Friends-only and others are open to the public. Read more about these events and get involved!

PLANT A TREE AT FLIGHT 93 – 150,000 Trees Planted!

Each spring, the Friends welcome approximately 500 volunteers for a two-day event focused on planting trees! Volunteers work with trained foresters to plant trees on this reclaimed strip mine, healing the landscape, creating new wildlife 

INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL - TBD 

As volunteers gather to plant native trees at Flight 93 National Memorial, the Friends seek a "special forces" team to gather and tackle the obstacles – invasive species! Invasive species such as autumn olive, bull and Canada thistle, and spotted knapweed threaten the native species that exist as well as the tree seedlings that are being planted on site. This team is responsible in removal of invasive species so that the native plantings can thrive and create a beautiful Memorial landscape.

*LUMINARIA |  Lanterns Washing – 2026 

On the evening of September 10, forty luminaria candle lanterns will be lit and carried by family members, distinguished guests, National Park Service staff and Friends and placed below the names of each of the passengers and crew members of Flight 93, dramatically illuminating the Wall of Names. This is a very solemn, peaceful time to reflect and remember those who were lost on September 11, 2001. The general public is encouraged to attend. Please note that the Luminaria will be held annually every five years, with the next event taking place in 2021 during the Twentieth Observance. 

SEPTEMBER 11 OBSERVANCE – SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 

Every September 11, Friends gather for an open air commemorative service that includes a moment of silence at 10:03 a.m., the time that Flight 93 crashed on September 11, 2001, reading of the names of the passengers and crew members, ringing of the Bells of Remembrance, and brief remarks. The service is open to the public. Before and after the ceremony, Friends offer event support to the National Park Service by operating registration, seating guests and hosting a private family reception.

Heroes' Walk - September 9, 2023

This public walk will raise awareness about Flight 93 National Memorial as a place to honor the passengers and crew whose actions prevented an attack on our nation’s capital on September 11, 2001. Participants will experience the memorial’s trail network, including a 2.28 mile walk down the Allée, Wetlands Bridge and Western Overlook Trail in order to learn more about this 21st century historic event, build a connection with this new National Park, and experience the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands. Proceeds from the walk directly support the completion of the original memorial design at Flight 93 National Memorial.

*ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – TBD

Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial host membership meetings virutally to highlight new board directors, special events, and updates on annual programs, projects and accomplishments. This meeting is a chance to review the Annual Report and reflect on the past year while looking forward to the new year ahead as we approach the 20th Observance of September 11, 2001 in 2023. View 2023 Friends Annual Membership Meeting now.

*Flag Flying - All Year Round 

After each flag has flown, the flags are issued a Certificate of Authenticity by the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial and signed by the Superintendent of Flight 93 National Memorial and the Executive Director of the Friends of Flight 93.

The United States flags then can be purchased at Flight 93 Visitor Center Book Store. The sales of these flags go towards special projects and programs at Flight 93 #NationalMemorial.

National Park Service Volunteer Opportunities

The National Park Service seeks volunteers in several areas at Flight 93 National Memorial, visit the link below to:

Learn more about all of the volunteer opportunities at Flight 93 National Memorial.

NPS Photo/ 2021

NPS Photo/ 2021

NPS Photo/ 2021