Friends of Flight 93 Press Room

For media inquiries, please contact:

Donna Gibson | Executive Director - [email protected]


Press releases - 2023

8/30/2023  

Friends of Flight 93 and National Park Service Annouce Collaboration with the National Writing Project

"Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the official non-profit partner to the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial is announcing a collaboration with the National Writing Project and the National Park Service. This partnership is launching a several month writing campaign for students across America entitled “Write to Remember- a Call to Action”.

“Write to Remember is a meaningful way for students who have participated in the National Day of Learning to use their voice to share how lessons learned from 9/11 can be used to solve some of the issues faced today”, said Donna Gibson, Friends Executive Director."

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8/14/2023  

2023 Heroes’ Walkers will have the “First View” of the Enhancements to the Western Overlook at Flight 93

"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."

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08/08/2023  

Calling all Educators to Register for the National Day of Learning – ‘Teach to Remember 9/11’

"Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the official non-profit partner to the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial is pleased to announce the launch of the virtual platform for the National Day of Learning to be held September 11, 2023.

The National Day of Learning “Teach to Remember” is a virtual education program being offered as part of the evolving 9/11 ceremony at Flight 93 National Memorial. Educators are welcome to register their classroom at www.flight93friends.org/education/teach2remember."

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08/01/2023  

Friends Partner with National Park Service for an Exclusive Dark Sky Program, Friends Under the Stars

"On August 11, 2023, the public is invited to Flight 93 National Memorial for a unique Dark Sky Program, titled Friends Under the Stars being sponsored by Friends of Flight 93 in partnership with the National Park Service. Astronomy clubs from Cumberland and Hollidaysburg will be onsite for a spectacular viewing of the night sky."

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05/15/2023  

Friends of Flight 93 Partners with National Park Service for a National Day of Learning, on 9/11/23

"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 educating current 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."

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04/24/2023

Volunteers Celebrate Earth Day at Flight 93 National Memorial

"SHANKSVILLE, PA — The National Park Service (NPS) and the Friends of Flight 93 hosted volunteers Thursday and Friday during National Volunteer Week. Over two days 150 volunteers contributed hundreds of hours to improve the National Memorial and observe Earth Day. On Thursday, the NPS hosted the PennDel Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture. Approximately 50 certified arborists joined hands and chainsaws to assist with tree pruning, hazardous tree removal and wood chipping along roadways and scenic views."

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04/24/2023 

Friends of Flight 93 Shares their 2022 Highlights During the 2023 Friends Annual Membership Meeting

"SOMERSET, PA — Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial showcased the highlights of their successes in 2022 during their virtual Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Friends Executive Director, Donna Gibson; Board President, Fred Lukachinsky; Board Treasurer, Dave A. Finui and Superintendent of WEPA, Stephen M. Clark were all speakers on the panel."

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PRESS RELEASES - 2022:

12/7/2022 - The Friends Partnered with Forbes Trail Brewing to Raise Funds for Enhancements to the Western Overlook

10/28/2022 - The Friends are Hosting a Friends Day of Giving 2022 Campaign for Giving Tuesday

10/5/2022 - Families to Run in the New York Marathon Benefit the Friends of Flight 93

9/19/2022 - The Friends of Flight 93 are Partnering with Forbes Trail Brewing to Host a New Friends Program, Pints for Parks  

8/15/2022 - The Friends of Flight 93 is to Host Heroes’ Walk 2022 in Support of Western Overlook Enhancements at Flight 93 National Memorial

6/29/2022 - The Friends of Flight 93 Announces New Executive Director

4/29/2022 - The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial to Host Pollinator Party Event as Part of Remake  Learning Days Across America

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

2/1/2022 - The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial Hold Annual Membership Meeting


Press Releases - 2021:

10/11/2021 - Scottdale Bank Supports Friends of Flight 93

9/10/2021 - Friends of Flight 93 Announce First-Ever Flight 93 Heroes Award Recipient | Today Show

9/7/2021 - Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial Announces Four Heroes Award Finalists

9/1/2021 - Media Advisory: Announcement of First Annual Flight 93 Heroes AwardAnnouncement of First Annual Flight 93 Heroes Award

7/8/2021 - Selection Panel that Includes Flight 93 Families Created for Flight 93 Heroes Award

6/3/2021 - Former 9/11 Government Leaders Join Call for Nominations for Flight 93 Heroes Award

5/10/2021 - 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Inspires Search for Sefless Heroes Across America | New York Times | Associated Press | Today Show | Atlanta Journal-Constitution 

5/5/2021 - Friends of Flight 93 Contract Public Relations Manager

3/4/2021 - Families of Flight 93 Contribute to Support Friends of Flight 93


Press Releases - 2020:

12/18/2020 - Friends of Flight 93 Expand Board Leadership

12/9/2020 - Friends of Flight 93 Accept Generous Donation from First National Bank

11/24/2020 - Read About Our New Partnership with Planet Bee Foundation!

8/17/2020 - FAA Investigator in Charge to Discuss Recovering Flight 93 Black Boxes

7/31/2020 - September 11, 2020 Observance Details (Flight 93 National Memorial News Release)

7/20/2020 - Father-Daughter Flight 93 Family Members Remember Flight Attendant Lorraine G. Bay During Virtual Speaker Series

6/22/2020 - Friends of Flight 93 to Host Facebook Live on Pollinator Project

6/10/2020 - Friends of Flight 93 Speaker Series to be Broadcast Virtually

5/14/2020 - Western Parks of Pennsylvania Begin to Reopen (Flight 93 National Memorial News Release) and Interior Continues to Safely Restore Access to Public Lands

3/19/2020 - Plant a Tree at Flight 93 Rescheduled for April 2021 (Flight 93 National Memorial News Release)

2/5/2020 - Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial Hire New Executive Director

2/5/2020 - Friends of Flight 93 Announce New Board Leadership

2/4/2020 - Transportation Funding Available for Regional School Districts


Press Releases - 2019:

10/28/2019 - Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial Announce Annual Membership Meeting

9/25/2019 - Walk 93 Continues Its Mission to Help Complete Flight 93 National Memorial Design

8/12/2019 - Prosecutor in 9/11 Terrorist Trial to Speak at Flight 93 National Memorial on Saturday

7/19/2019 - Special Speaker Series Program will Highlight Ambassadors Role at Flight 93 National Memorial

6/10/2019 - Father and Daughter Family Members will Present on June 15-16 at the Flight 93 Speaker Series

5/20/2019 - Family Members’ will Speak to Visitors on May 25-26 at the Flight 93 Speaker Series

3/22/2019 - Flight 93 National Memorial Partners with The Pennsylvania WoodMobile for “Plant a Tree at Flight 93”

3/20/2019 - Students Engage in Leadership Development at Western PA Parks

1/24/2019 - Hydration History is Back with “How Heartbreak Changed History”


Press Releases - 2018:

10/26/2018 - Members to Receive Special Presentation from Powdermill Nature Reserve at Annual Membership Meeting

10/2/2018 - Friends of Flight 93 Announce New Learning Center Coordinator

9/19/2018 - Walk 93 Features Pets and Team Challenge at Flight 93 National Memorial

9/7/2018 - President Donald J. Trump to Speak at Seventeenth Observance

8/14/2018 - Air Traffic Controllers will Speak at the Final Speaker Series Program of the Year 

7/11/2018 - July Speaker Series to Feature Media Perspective of September 11 Events

6/15/2018 - Friends of Flight 93 New Orientation Film Highlights Memorial’s Growth over the past 7 Years

6/14/2018 - Flight 93 National Memorial to Host Pennsylvania WoodMobile

6/12/2018 - Flight 93 Family Member Lorne Lyles to Speak on June 16-17 at Flight 93 National Memorial

5/14/2018 - Friends of Flight 93 Speaker Series Begins May 19-20

4/25/2018 - Flight 93 National Memorial Partners with Washington & Jefferson College for Special Exhibit Focusing on Baseball in Times of Crisis 

3/6/2018 - Flight 93 National Memorial Nearing Goal of 150,000 Seedlings for "Plant a Tree at Flight 93"

3/1/2018 - Friends of Flight 93 Present New Event - Hydration History: How Luck Changed History

2/9/2018 - New Board Leadership within the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial 



Press Releases - 2017:

11/22/2017 - Friends of Flight 93 Announce New Board Directors

11/14/2017 - Construction Begins on Flight 93 National Memorial's Tower of Voices

10/31/2017 - Friends Highlight Upcoming Projects and Membership Goals at Annual Membership Meeting 

10/04/2017 - Transportation Funding Available for School Districts to Visit Flight 93 Thanks to Pirates Charities

09/19/2017 - Participants Will Meet with Family Members for Memorial's Third Annual Walk 93

09/12/2017 - Flight 93 Ambassador Pitches in Whenever and Wherever Needed

09/10/2017 - "Soundbreaking" for Tower of Voices Marks Final Major Phase of Construction for Flight 93 National Memorial

09/08/2017 - Vice President and Secretary of Interior to Speak at Flight 93 National Memorial September 11 Observance Ceremonies 

08/18/2017 - Family Members to Participate in Third Annual Walk 93 

08/15/2017 - Flight 93 August Speaker Series to Feature Family Members 

07/25/2017 - Volunteers Crucial to Flight 93 National Memorial 

07/18/2017 - First Responders to Speak on July 22 At Flight 93 National Memorial

06/09/2017 - Wallace "Wally" Miller, Somerset County Coroner to Speak on June 17-18 at Flight 93 National Memorial 

06/05/2017 - Tourism to National Parks in Western Pennsylvania Create $88 Million in Economic Benefits

05/31/2017 - Glass Magazine: Honour in the Field

05/18/2017 - Special Programming Focuses on Reforestation Initiative as Volunteers Continue Tree Planting

04/14/2017 - Volunteers Still Needed For Plant a Tree at Flight 93

03/16/2017 - The State of the Western Pennsylvania National Parks


Press Releases - 2016:

10/18/2016 - Flight 93 National Memorial Launches Second Year of Every Kid In A Park

09/02/2016 - Flight 93 National Memorial September 11 Commemoration to Honor the Heroes of Flight 93

08/22/2016 - Flight 93 National Memorial Offers Free Distance Learning Event

08/15/2016 - “Flight 93” author Tom McMillan to Hold Book-Signing at Flight 93 National Memorial Learning Center

08/10/2016 - Flight 93 National Memorial to Dedicate Allee Trees

08/01/2016 - Flight 93 National Memorial Program Highlights Pennsylvania State Police 

07/19/2016 - Somerset County Resident Chuck Wagner to Hold Book-Signing at Flight 93 National Memorial Learning Center

07/06/2016 - Western Pennsylvania Parks Offer New Centennial Junior Ranger Program

05/06/2016 - Plant a Tree at Flight 93 - Volunteers Work to Create Living Memorial Landscape

02/25/2016 - Through Their Eyes: Flight 93 National Memorial Exhibit Features Tributes Left By Children


Press Releases - 2015:

12/09/2015 - Diebold Security Donates $5,600 to the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial

10/15/2015 - Flight 93 National Memorial Hours Change

08/12/2015 - Flight 93 National Memorial Visitor Center Dedication,September 11 Commemoration to Honor the Heroes of Flight 93

07/28/2015 - Walk set for Sept. 26 to raise money for trails around Flight 93 crash site

07/13/2015 - Friends of Flight 93 Hosting "Walk 93" to Support Trails at National Memorial

05/06/2015 - Volunteers Care For Memorial Grove Trees at Flight 93 National Memorial

04/17/2015 - Reflections From Flight 93 National Memorial

03/20/2015 - Volunteers Work to Create & Maintain Memorial Landscape at Flight 93 During National Park Week

01/14/2015 - FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93 LAUNCH www.Flight93Friends.org


Press Releases - 2014:

10/01/2014 - Flight 93 Friends Group Names Executive Director

08/21/2014 - Flight 93 National Memorial September 11 Commemoration to Honor the Heroes of Flight 93

04/01/2014 - Hundreds of Volunteers Honor the Heroes of Flight 93 During National Park Week