Flight 93 Memorial Visit Leaves Me Unmoved

Last week I spent a couple days in Kooser State Park in Somerset, PA. From there, a friend and I drove to the Flight 93 Memorial, which was about 35 minutes away.

I'd been curious about the site since 9/11 and I wondered how such a horrendous event, which was transformed into a story of bravery and service, would be told.

Unfortunately, the memorial was disappointing, as an honor and as a national park. To be fair, it isn't finished yet - plans include landscaping, a tower of wind chimes and a visitor center. Hopefully, however, after it is done, it will adequately represent the remarkable passengers and crew. As it is now, the disparate pieces on the site do not work in harmony.

A granite walkway, marble wall of names, cement welcome shelter, large boulder and a tall wooden gate each sit motionless, saying nothing of the magnitude of the day.

For now, stick with reading the park's website, especially the multi-media page. There is more information there than you would think to ask. Or, read Among the Heroes by Jere Longman, from the Upper Moreland Free Library.

Maybe in a few years the memorial will be a true tribute to the people on Flight 93.

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