00:00 - This morning as we gather here at this solemn

00:03 - place, surrounded by the beauty of nature,

00:06 - I cannot help but think of First Lady Claudia, Lady Bird Johnson.

00:11 - Like what iconic quote

00:13 - where flowers bloom.

00:15 - So just a and

00:19 - she said these words nearly 60 years ago,

00:22 - but they still ring true, especially here at this sacred land

00:27 - landscape surrounding us.

00:30 - Once a common field is now a vibrant, living memorial to the 40 passengers

00:35 - and crew members of flight 93 gave the ultimate sacrifice.

00:40 - On September 11th, 2001.

00:44 - The transformation of this special place

00:46 - and our dedication to its preservation

00:49 - in their memory, gave us hope that future generations

00:53 - will continue to come here to be inspired by their heroic actions.

00:58 - 40 Ordinary.

01:02 - I begin today

01:03 - with a special welcome to the thousands of students

01:07 - joining us virtually from across the country and the world.

01:12 - As part of our Teach to Remember 9/11, a national day of mourning.

01:18 - We thank the next generation and their teachers,

01:20 - representing 29 states across our nation, to include the wide and ranging

01:27 - from middle schools, high schools and 15 colleges,

01:31 - 238 schools in

01:34 - who are gracing our ceremony at this very moment.

01:37 - This in addition to schools here in the United States,

01:42 - also participating our students from Canada,

01:45 - Romania and Don.

01:49 - We welcome all of you, and thank you for allowing us to bring this beautiful

01:53 - ceremony in the spirit of the 40 heroes to your classroom.

01:59 - Good morning.

02:01 - My name is Steven Clark, and for the past ten years,

02:04 - I have had the honor of serving as the superintendent.

02:10 - Of the National Parks in

02:13 - western Pennsylvania,

02:15 - which includes the special place

02:19 - on behalf of the National Park Service.

02:21 - I extend a warm welcome to all of you joining us today,

02:25 - both virtually and in person at 2.93 National Memorial.

02:31 - The National Park Service

02:32 - cares for some of our nation's most significant places.

02:36 - This hallowed ground behind me, the final resting place of the passengers

02:40 - and crew members on flight 93, is one such

02:45 - year, brave men and women who made history

02:49 - and shaped our future.

02:52 - Those individuals made

02:53 - a collective decision that changed our world forever.

02:57 - 24 years ago this morning.

03:00 - Their decision to fight back against the terrorist who had hijacked

03:03 - their plane saved an untold number of lives and preserve the U.S.

03:08 - Capitol.

03:09 - The symbol and center of our democracy.

03:13 - We honor their actions as a truly heroic display of unity,

03:17 - courage, and defiance

03:20 - in the face of tremendous adversity.

03:23 - As we pause to reflect on the events of 24 years ago

03:27 - this morning, let us begin this moment with the Pledge of Allegiance.

03:32 - Please rise as you are a

03:35 - and join us in reciting the pledge and leading us this morning.

03:40 - Flight 93 ambassadors path the non life.

03:50 - But allegiance

03:51 - to the flag of the United States of America.

03:56 - And to the Republic for which it stands.

03:59 - One nation under God, indivisible,

04:04 - with liberty and justice for all.

04:11 - Please be seated.

04:19 - Thank you.

04:19 - Pat and Ron.

04:21 - Mr.. Mrs.

04:22 - Reinbold, I'd like to refer to

04:25 - her leading today's pledge of allegiance and 15 years

04:28 - of dedicated service to this mission.

04:31 - I would also like to thank all of our 103

04:34 - volunteer ambassadors from past and present,

04:38 - for their unwavering commitment in assisting us,

04:41 - supporting our mission.

04:46 - Friends, partners, colleagues,

04:50 - local, state and federal elected officials here with us

04:53 - this morning as well as members of the administration.

04:57 - Welcome to this very special place.

05:01 - It is our honor to further extend this.

05:03 - Welcome to a delegation of senior officials from the countries of Canada,

05:08 - Australia, New Zealand

05:11 - and the United Kingdom.

05:14 - Seeing the story of flight 93 cross borders

05:17 - and impact people from all over the world reignites

05:21 - our daily commitment to always remember the heroes.

05:27 - Above all,

05:29 - with heartfelt warmth.

05:31 - We welcome the many family members and loved ones of the passengers

05:35 - who fought.

05:38 - We are honored

05:39 - that you are joining us this morning from in person

05:42 - and virtually literally all over the world.

05:46 - We are forever grateful for your ongoing support system of Rail Partners,

05:52 - which is the National Park Service through its mission of care.

05:55 - This special.

05:59 - You have seen us for many seasons

06:01 - and have assisted us in countless ways.

06:05 - In the spring, as wildflowers and trees

06:08 - bloom across these many acres and through the harsh winters.

06:11 - We are privileged to be privileged, easy and job

06:15 - that you return here

06:17 - year after year to honor your loved ones.

06:21 - The US.

06:23 - Your participation in today's ceremony.

06:29 - World

06:30 - embodies the very essence of this sacred place.

06:34 - A memorial created to honor 40 individuals, most of them strangers

06:39 - to one another, who joined together as one

06:42 - over the skies of western Pennsylvania

06:45 - with resolute heroism.

06:48 - It is with the spirit of their collective action

06:50 - that the National Park Service worked side by side with our partners,

06:54 - neighbors and community members to ensure that the 40 members

06:58 - whose names are inscribed on this marble wall behind me

07:02 - are never forgotten, and that this new generation

07:06 - and those that follow can learn from their inspiring story.

07:11 - We must always remember what happened 24 years ago today,

07:15 - when an attack on our nation brought forth an inspiring show of courage

07:20 - from the passengers and crew members aboard flight 93.

07:24 - Confronted by an unprecedented situation, united as one.

07:29 - They drew upon a reserve of inner strength to face that challenge.

07:34 - It is our duty,

07:36 - and indeed our honor,

07:38 - to do all we can to meet our own challenges

07:41 - with the same spirit of strength, unity and determination

07:46 - demonstrated, demonstrated by the 40 heroes that morning,

07:51 - rising to meet another unexpected challenge.

07:54 - Here at the memorial last year, the National Park Service

07:58 - and the Friends of Flight 93 initiated the first phase of a public private

08:03 - campaign entitled the Resiliency Project.

08:08 - This multi-year project seeks to revitalize the nearly 2000

08:12 - deciduous trees within the 40 Memorial Groves and the L.A.

08:17 - trail.

08:18 - With the tremendous support of the National Park Service's.

08:21 - Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation.

08:25 - Experts from Cornell University,

08:28 - Pennsylvania State University, and the State University

08:31 - of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

08:35 - We have begun the process of improving tree health and soil conditions to ensure

08:40 - that these living tributes planted for each of the 40 heroes will remain here.

08:46 - Growing strong for future generations.

08:50 - We thank these

08:50 - organizations and these prestigious institutions for their expertise

08:56 - and their commitment to seeing this long term project through to completion.

09:01 - We also extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the unwavering

09:06 - support of the Friends of Flight 93, led by Executive Director Donna Gibson.

09:13 - From the Resiliency Project to the Teach to Remember project, the friends

09:17 - organization and their board of directors have provided essential volunteers,

09:22 - resources and community engagement

09:25 - with class and dignity.

09:28 - We thank the entire friends organization for their passionate

09:31 - and resilient commitment to assist us all

09:34 - in fulfilling our mission.

09:38 - Helping to honor the 40 passengers and crew members

09:40 - this morning is retired forester Scott Edgar Root.

09:45 - For many years, Scott provided essential technical assistance

09:49 - in our reforestation efforts.

09:52 - He and the staff at the Department of the Interior's.

09:55 - Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Enforcement,

09:58 - or USMC, for short, supported the decade long effort

10:03 - to reforest this former coal surface mine with native tree species.

10:09 - Scott will lead the reading of their names,

10:11 - joined by family members who have made their journey here

10:15 - from across our great nation and around the world.

10:18 - To read the name of their loved one.

10:22 - Joining Scott and family

10:24 - members are Chet Edwards and Michael French.

10:28 - For 12 years, Chet, a now retired reclamation

10:31 - specialist and field supervisor for Osmo three,

10:35 - served as a volunteer and team leader

10:38 - in our reforestation efforts.

10:41 - Chet is joined by Michael French,

10:43 - the director of Green Forest Work,

10:46 - a nonprofit organization who has provided funding.

10:49 - Tree seedlings, equipment and expertise to the memorial.

10:55 - After each name is read this morning, Chet and Michael will ring the Bells

10:59 - of Remembrance in memory of the 40 passengers

11:03 - and crew members of flight 93.

11:06 - Through the guidance and dedication of experts like these gentlemen.

11:10 - More than 4800 volunteers

11:13 - planted over 152,000 tree seedlings on

11:17 - 216 selected acres of the memorial.

11:22 - Collectively, we offer our sincerest respect,

11:26 - appreciation and gratitude to the entire reforestation team and especially

11:32 - the members of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

11:37 - Attending today's

11:38 - ceremony is acting OMB director Mr.

11:42 - Tom show.

11:43 - We thank Tom and all those Department of the interior employees

11:47 - for their participation in today's ceremony and for their dedication

11:52 - to making this place a world class memorial and living tribute

11:56 - to the passengers and crew members of flight 93.

12:01 - We further extend this gratitude for the unwavering support of the many bureaus

12:06 - and offices that make up the United States Department of the interior.

12:11 - We thank the leaders of this organization, including Deputy Secretary

12:15 - of the Interior Kathryn MacGregor, who is in attendance with us here this morning,

12:20 - who, in the spirit of the passengers and crew members of flight 93, foster

12:25 - a culture of teamwork and dedication.

12:29 - As we prepare for the reading of the 40 heroes

12:32 - names, followed by the beautiful bells of Remembrance.

12:36 - Let us all at this moment reflect on their actions

12:41 - on this very morning 24 years ago,

12:44 - and how their sacrifice ultimately saved the lives

12:48 - of so many.

13:11 - Christian

13:12 - Adams. Us.

13:28 - Loraine G.

13:30 - They.

13:44 - Todd M Beamer. Us.

14:04 - Alan.

14:05 - Anthony. Evan.

14:08 - Us. Gerald.

14:24 - Mark.

14:24 - Kendall. Bingham.

14:28 - Us. Sandy.

14:45 - War. Bradshaw.

14:53 - And. Dora.

14:59 - Francis.

15:01 - Bradley.

15:04 - Us. Marion.

15:18 - R Britton.

15:21 - Us. Thomas E Barnett,

15:40 - jr, us.

15:59 - William Joseph Cashman.

16:22 - My sister, Georgina rose Corrigan.

16:24 - Marissa. Us.

17:05 - Patricia Cushing.

17:24 - A wonderful son.

17:27 - Brother.

17:29 - Father

17:31 - and superior pilot.

17:34 - My cousin, Captain Jason M Dall.

18:00 - Joseph DeLuca. Us.

18:09 - Us. Patrick.

18:26 - Joseph.

18:27 - Driscoll.

18:47 - A Edward Porter.

18:51 - Felt. Us.

19:11 - Jane C

19:13 - Folger. Us.

19:32 - Colleen I Fraser.

19:53 - Andrew.

19:54 - Sunny.

19:55 - Garcia.

20:16 - Jeremy.

20:17 - Logan.

20:18 - Guilt. Us.

20:38 - Kristin.

20:40 - Osterholm. White.

20:42 - Gould.

20:59 - Lauren.

20:59 - Courtesy.

21:00 - Grand Col us and unborn child.

21:05 - Us. Us.

21:20 - My sister, Wanda Anita Green.

21:26 - And. Us.

21:44 - Donald.

21:44 - Freeman green. Us.

22:06 - Linda.

22:07 - Granlund. Us.

22:16 - Us. Richard J.

22:31 - Y Daigneault.

22:42 - First officer Leroy Wilton.

22:45 - Homer.

23:03 - My son.

23:04 - Isaiah.

23:24 - CC Ross Lyles.

23:48 - Hilda.

23:49 - Marcin.

24:10 - Will.

24:10 - Lesko.

24:11 - Martinez. Us.

24:31 - Nicole.

24:32 - Carol.

24:33 - Miller. Us.

24:39 - Us. Louis.

24:47 - Joey Mackey, the second.

24:53 - Us. Us.

25:10 - Donald.

25:11 - Arthur.

25:12 - Peterson. Us.

25:30 - Jean.

25:31 - Hoadley.

25:32 - Peterson. Us.

25:52 - Mark.

25:53 - David.

25:54 - Rothenberg. Us.

26:02 - Us. Christine.

26:16 - Ann Snyder.

26:19 - Us. Us.

26:38 - John taluk.

26:40 - Nanny. Us.

26:48 - Us. Honor.

27:02 - Elizabeth.

27:03 - Veneno. Us.

27:11 - Us. Deborah.

27:24 - Jacobs.

27:25 - Welch. Us.

28:07 - Thank you.

28:07 - Chat. Scott,

28:10 - Michael and family members

28:13 - for that beautiful tribute to our 40 heroes

28:17 - at this time.

28:19 - Let us join together in spirit for a moment of remembrance and solitude

28:24 - by offering an interfaith prayer

28:27 - of resiliency, healing, and peace.

28:31 - Leading our invocation will be Reverend Robert J.

28:36 - Wayne.

28:37 - Pastor Bob,

28:38 - as he is better known, was a new pastor at the good Shepherd Lutheran Cooperative

28:44 - in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11th, 2001.

28:50 - He provided comfort and counsel to local community members,

28:54 - and went on to serve as a volunteer ambassador here at the Memorial

28:59 - and on the task force that helped developed

29:02 - this beautiful landscape you see here today.

29:06 - Reverend.

29:12 - Good morning.

29:14 - Please join me in a moment of silence to honor the heroes of flight 93

29:19 - as a group, as we have just lifted

29:22 - them up individually.

29:41 - Thank you.

29:43 - Approximately 23 years ago, a collaborative group of stakeholders,

29:48 - including local community members, first responders,

29:54 - government officials

29:56 - and representatives from the flight 93 families

30:00 - gathered to discuss erecting a memorial to honor the 40 individuals

30:06 - who heroically fought against terrorists to prevent further loss of life.

30:13 - Our deliberations

30:15 - centered on creating a lasting tribute

30:18 - that would honor both their immediate sacrifice

30:22 - and as an enduring legacy

30:25 - of these courageous individuals.

30:30 - We extend our gratitude to Paul Murdock here

30:34 - for bringing our vision and our mission to fruition.

30:39 - What was once a common field is now

30:43 - a field of honor.

30:47 - It is our privilege to continue moving forward,

30:50 - to preserve and nurture this hallowed place.

30:55 - Hallowed not by us,

30:57 - but by the lives of your loved ones.

31:02 - When Adam Schaffer invited me to return and speak,

31:05 - I earnestly accepted the opportunity to continue in that mission

31:11 - and to further establish the vision of this field

31:17 - as a place of healing.

31:20 - Looking back, you might think that the healing began

31:24 - with the excavation and the repair of the land at the crash site,

31:30 - but even that beginning had a deeper intent

31:35 - that what we would ultimately accomplish

31:38 - would be to transform minds and to mend.

31:43 - To heal broken hearts and broken spirits.

31:49 - You see from the memorial grove of trees,

31:52 - with its sense of a diverse unity

31:57 - to the diverse

31:58 - species of wildflowers, they grow and change

32:02 - from spring to fall in the fields behind us,

32:08 - from the small but noticeable changes

32:12 - to the landscape here, which we refer to as the bowl,

32:18 - which I've always envisioned this hands cupped

32:22 - to embrace all who enter.

32:25 - To this memorial wall, with its design

32:29 - signifying again the connectedness

32:32 - of individuals.

32:34 - The war continues to bring many people

32:37 - together as family.

32:41 - The vision was.

32:42 - The vision is one of bringing us face to face

32:47 - with the acknowledgment that life, true life,

32:52 - is experienced in this place.

32:58 - So I ask you to join

32:59 - with me in a moment of silence,

33:02 - for a moment of reflection.

33:12 - Holy God, we ask that you would be with us.

33:16 - We invoke your presence upon us.

33:21 - Each and every time we gather,

33:24 - we gather.

33:25 - Wishing to learn more about ourselves.

33:32 - Comfort us

33:34 - as we espouse the ideal that hope lives

33:39 - within each of us.

33:45 - Be with our families

33:48 - as they continue to mourn, even

33:51 - after many years, because loss is always

33:56 - loss.

34:09 - The wall that continues to bring us together

34:13 - is separated by little gaps

34:16 - between each of the names.

34:19 - It's designed that way by Paul

34:22 - to remind us that these are individuals.

34:25 - But the wall has a hole

34:27 - represents the unity of their decision.

34:35 - So, Holy One, we seek your guidance.

34:40 - We seek inspiration,

34:42 - knowledge

34:44 - and hope.

34:47 - We seek your guidance as we persist in our efforts

34:50 - to affirm the life always triumphs,

34:54 - that life continues even amid

34:57 - heinous terrorist acts.

35:03 - And we humbly gather here with the hope.

35:09 - That our lives may change as well.

35:12 - Small hope.

35:14 - I'm sorry.

35:15 - Small changes, but changes nonetheless.

35:22 - Be with us

35:22 - then, as we continue throughout this day,

35:26 - throughout this ceremony.

35:30 - Comfort us

35:32 - and confront us.

35:43 - The philosopher

35:44 - John Stuart Mill once said, I won't, quote

35:50 - I don't know his exact words, but it went something

35:53 - on this order.

36:01 - Evil needs nothing more to succeed

36:06 - than this.

36:09 - The good people

36:12 - would look on and do nothing.

36:16 - Indeed, it would be difficult to call that person good.

36:19 - Who feels to at that very least,

36:25 - protest when evil is witnessed?

36:30 - So Holy One, comfort and confront us.

36:35 - Provoke us

36:38 - to action when we see the wrong.

36:44 - Thank you all.

37:01 - Thank you, Reverend way.

37:03 - It was absolutely beautiful.

37:08 - The 40 brave men and women aboard flight 93

37:12 - were among other heroes to emerge on that tragic day.

37:17 - One does not have to look far to inspiring stories

37:20 - of tremendous strength and resiliency in the face of terror.

37:26 - Future generations learning about the events of September

37:29 - 11th can find countless examples here.

37:32 - At flight 93 National Memorial in New York,

37:35 - and at the Pentagon, of ordinary people

37:39 - who willingly risk their own lives

37:42 - in an effort to help and save others.

37:45 - Their actions on that morning and the days that followed

37:49 - represent the very best of humanity,

37:52 - and we are forever grateful for their acts of courage.

37:57 - We remember them,

37:58 - and the 2977 individuals whose lives were lost

38:05 - at the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon that day.

38:10 - The men and women at flight 93 National Memorial are honored to work side

38:14 - by side with many individuals and groups

38:18 - to ensure that they are never forgotten.

38:21 - I wish to highlight several of those

38:23 - neighboring organizations this morning.

38:27 - Patriot Park

38:28 - honors the 7072

38:32 - American service members who gave their lives

38:35 - in the Global War on terror.

38:39 - While the Remember Me

38:40 - Rose garden a beautiful, living, living tribute

38:43 - to the passengers and crew members of flight 93.

38:47 - Furthers our collective efforts to honor the 40 heroes.

38:52 - A visit to these sites provides

38:54 - additional opportunities for visitors to flight 93.

38:58 - National Memorial to pay tribute to America's heroes.

39:04 - And finally.

39:07 - The September 11th National Memorial Trail,

39:11 - founded by David Brickley, who was joining us this morning.

39:15 - This trail, ladies and gentlemen,

39:17 - this trail brings walkers,

39:20 - runners and cyclists to this site

39:24 - as part of a 1500 mile system

39:27 - which connects the three nine over 11 attack sites.

39:32 - We thank David and all of our partners for their efforts in developing new ways

39:37 - to pay tribute to those lost in the terrorist

39:40 - attacks of September 11th.

39:43 - We thank these proud and patriotic

39:46 - organizations and local businesses

39:49 - who go above and beyond year round

39:52 - at the Memorial.

39:54 - Individuals like local business owner Danny Diver

39:58 - have exhibited tremendous pride and craftsmanship across the memorial

40:04 - and are greatly appreciated by staff,

40:06 - volunteers and visitors.

40:09 - Danny and his wife, Annie are joining us

40:12 - this morning for this very special ceremony, and for that

40:17 - we are grateful for

40:19 - the dedicated work of so many.

40:21 - Ensures that the legacy of September 11th is carried on

40:25 - to the next generation forever.

40:27 - This includes the essential support of countless external partners,

40:32 - such as the Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies.

40:38 - The Somerset County Emergency Management Agency,

40:41 - state and local emergency medical services, the American Red

40:46 - cross, the Salvation Army,

40:49 - and the National Weather Service,

40:52 - just to name a few.

40:56 - Every day,

40:57 - ladies and gentlemen, they work hand in hand with the National Park Service

41:01 - every year to conduct this beautiful memorial observance.

41:07 - We are continuously grateful for the willingness of so many

41:11 - to do all they can to honor and remember the 40 heroes

41:15 - and our nation, now and forever.

41:20 - At the conclusion of our observance this morning, I invite the family

41:24 - seated here to the sacred ground for a private wreath laying ceremony.

41:29 - Members of the Somerset Regional Volunteer Fire Department will open

41:34 - the ceremonial gate and provide a salute for family members as they enter.

41:41 - Members of this department served

41:43 - as some of the first responders to the crash of flight 93.

41:48 - We thank them for their resolute courage and dedication to others,

41:53 - and we remember the 441 first responders

41:57 - who gave their lives in the effort to save thousands that morning.

42:02 - I further express our appreciation to all members

42:05 - of the first responder community, both here and around the world,

42:09 - for their sacrifice and dedicated service

42:13 - in times of crisis.

42:15 - Our first responders stand side by side with the men and women of our military

42:20 - to protect this great nation and its values.

42:25 - We owe our servicemen and women and their families

42:28 - a debt which can never truly be repaid for the sacrifices

42:32 - they have made to save lives and preserve our freedom.

42:37 - Additionally, and with the utmost of respect,

42:41 - I would like to thank the men and women now serving

42:43 - and who have served in our country's military.

42:47 - Joining us this morning is the Secretary of Veterans.

42:50 - Affairs, the Honorable Douglas A Collins.

42:55 - Thank you, sir, for joining us this morning on this sacred ground.

43:00 - Also, I'd like to

43:02 - welcome and personally thank

43:05 - the sailors and officers joining us today from the USS Somerset,

43:10 - based out of San Diego, California,

43:14 - named after Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

43:17 - The USS Somerset represents the heroic actions

43:20 - of the 40 passengers and crew members of flight 93.

43:24 - As this vessel and others like her, traversed the world.

43:29 - It carries with it a message of collective sacrifice and courage

43:33 - in response to overwhelming adversity.

43:37 - XO sir. Thank you for being here.

43:43 - As we come together to

43:44 - conclude this beautiful ceremony, let us never forget

43:48 - when the events of September 11th have passed from living memory.

43:52 - It is our hope that this all inspiring memorial,

43:56 - created through the tireless efforts of so many, will allow future generations

44:01 - to embrace the powerful story of flight 93.

44:06 - As life continues to grow here in this beautiful field of honor,

44:11 - so does our hope that future generations

44:15 - will learn of the extraordinary actions of 40 ordinary people

44:20 - and be inspired to act with the same unity and courage

44:24 - to face their own challenges

44:26 - today and forever.

44:29 - Thank you.

46:13 - Down by the side of the class. 60.

46:24 - This will be followed by family members.

46:28 - Crash site.

46:44 - Yeah, I know, I'm wondering.

47:40 - If. You.