SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — Flight 93 National Memorial is one of six locations along the U.S. Route 30 corridor now included in Pennsylvania’s new Highway of Heroes trail.
“Together, the sites present Pennsylvania’s historic places as part of a broader, connected story and illustrate the commonwealth’s enduring role in American history, from the French and Indian War and the American Revolution through the Civil War, the Cold War and the events of Sept. 11, 2001,” a GO Laurel Highlands release said.
The sites linked by the new initiative along Route 30, known as the Lincoln Highway, include Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, Valley Forge National Historic Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Historic Site, Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, and Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh.
This trail was launched through collaboration among national and state historic parks, state destination marketing groups such as GO Laurel Highlands, and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.
It also coincides with the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.
“The memorial is proud to participate in the Highway of Heroes to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation,” National Parks of Western Pennsylvania Superintendent Stephen Clark said in the release.
“The Flight 93 passengers and crew members are examples of how America’s citizens continue to respond in times of adversity since 1776.”
Anyone who visits each of the six locations will receive a commemorative display and six challenge coins representing the sites.
A trip to the Lincoln Highway Experience museum in Latrobe may be used as a substitute for one of the required stops.
“The Highway of Heroes project is an extraordinary opportunity to connect Pennsylvania’s most powerful historic sites along the historic Lincoln Highway,” heritage corridor Executive Director Kimberly Cady said in the release.
“For the Lincoln Highway Corridor, this initiative reinforces our mission to tell these stories in a way that is accessible, engaging and deeply relevant. It will strengthen partnerships across the commonwealth, increase visitation to our communities and ensure that these important stories are shared with a broader and more diverse audience.”
There’s no cost to participate, and visitors have one year to complete the trail, from Friday through March 26, 2027. For more information, visit www.pahighway.com.