The Flight 93 National Memorial is situated near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, attracting over 300,000 annual visitors. These individuals journey here to honor the 40 lives lost on United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11, 2001, attacks.
According to Gordon Felt, who lost his brother Edward Felt on that fateful flight, the act of visiting the memorial signifies a commitment to learning about their story. He expressed appreciation, stating, “It’s gratifying for us to know that people take the time to get off the turnpike and come up and spend a few hours here to learn about the story.”
On a visit to the memorial, Gordon Felt attended a National Park Service event dedicated to commemorating the victims of Flight 93. The narrative of this aircraft’s passengers and crew, who valiantly prevented the hijackers from reaching their likely target, holds significant importance for him. This is a story that Steve Hartman, a CBS News correspondent, reported on from the crash site just hours following the event.
Hartman, reflecting on his initial coverage, recalled analyzing flight data shortly after the crash. Observing that the plane diverted near Cleveland, Ohio, he speculated the ultimate target was Washington, D.C. His instincts suggested a deliberate intervention had taken place within the plane, a theory confirmed later by calls from the flight. The passengers and crew’s courageous decision to storm the cockpit thwarted the terrorists’ plan, likely saving the Capitol.
Gordon Felt noted, “The good guys won that day. The bad guys were defeated.” This victory, as he sees it, ensured that America’s flag continued to fly over the Capitol with resilience and pride.
Paul Pisano, present at the Capitol that day, paused at the memorial’s Wall of Names to honor each victim. He commented on the passengers’ bravery: “If they hadn’t taken the action they had and stood up… It’s horrific to think about.” His heartfelt gesture symbolized gratitude to those who protected the nation.
On September 11, 2001, the question “when would America strike back?” lingered. It is now clear that the first counterstrike had already been delivered from within Flight 93, carried out by its courageous occupants.
Shooting of DoorDash Delivery Driver by ICE Agent Raises Questions 
Patrick Clancy Shares Insights into Tragic Family Loss 
Growing Concerns Over Food Safety and National Security 
Midair Altercation on Bangladesh to London Flight 
Teen Arrested in Penn State Student’s Murder; Second Suspect at Large 
Revival of Organized Labor in 2026