A nonprofit will host a conversation series at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County begining this month in advance of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The memorial honors the 40 passengers and crew members who died when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001. The group is credited with thwarting a terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol by fighting back against four hijackers who had taken over the plane.
The 25-Year Observance Friends Connection series will kick off May 23 with a discussion of how Flight 93 Memorial artifacts were collected and displayed to preserve the historical event for future generations.
A second conversation event will take place on June 13, where the impact of Flight 93’s passengers and crew on 9/11 will be discussed.
The final event of the series will be held Aug. 15. It will focus on how oral history of the 9/11 attacks has been preserved.
Two sessions will be held each of the three days, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The events are free to attend. They will take place virtually and in the memorial’s classroom space, 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stonycreek. Links for virtual viewing will be posted at flight93friends.org.
Several other events are planned for the 25-year anniversary, including:
• Sept. 9 to 13 — chalk artists will display portraits of the passengers and crew of Flight 93;
• Sept 11., 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. — the names of Flight 93’s passengers and crew will be read during an observance;
• Sept. 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m. — remarks, keynote speakers and a musical tribute followed by a wreath-laying ceremony;
• Sept. 12, 6 to 10 p.m. — a screening of the movie “United 93” followed by a group conversation;
• Sept. 12, 7:30 to 9 p.m. — 40 candle lanterns will be placed at the Wall of Names.
The nonprofit announced in December the completion of a $500,000 renovation of the “Flight Path,” a walkway that traces United Flight 93’s trajectory.