Those who pass by Alvarado-Niles and Dyer Street may wonder about rows of granite blocks in a small park nearby. Beautifully crafted, these remembrances are reminders of a tragic event - 9-1-1, the role of Flight 93 victims and the legacy of their sacrifice.
United Airlines Flight 93 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco International Airport. Hijacked as part of the September 11 attacks in 2001, passengers and crewmembers decided to mound an assault against the hijackers and gain control of the aircraft. Subsequently, the plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania killing all 40 passengers and crew and the four hijackers.
This location was the first successful beet sugar factory, built in 1870 by E. H. Dyer. It began processing sugar beets on November 15, 1870, and produced 29 tons of sugar during its first operating season. The plant was completely rebuilt at one time on the original site. The entire plant was demolished in 1977.
On December 8, 2007, Union City's Flight 93 Memorial was dedicated. Union City Boy Scouts raised the Congressional Flag of Honor followed by a 21-gun salute. Family members of Flight 93 victims attended the ceremony, dedicating the first large-scale Flight 93 Memorial in the United States.
So, when you pass by the historic site, please offer a simple prayer to those passengers and crewmembers. May they rest in peace.
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