Gov. Rendell, Sen. Specter Announce Flight 93 National Memorial Will Be Completed By 9/2011

Gov. Rendell and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter this week signed a letter of commitment that will ensure the planned Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Somerset County, is completed and dedicated by the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

 

"This memorial will be a lasting tribute to the 40 heroes of United Flight 93 who courageously gave their lives to stop the terrorists from using their plane as another weapon on 9/11," Gov. Rendell said. "Thanks to this memorial, their heroism will not be forgotten."

 

"Those of us who were in the Congress on September 11, 2001 may well owe our lives to the heroism of those who brought down that plane." Sen. Specter said. "The site is hallowed ground and we have an obligation to see to it, with the leadership of the families of Flight 93, that this historic spot is appropriately consecrated."

 

The commitment letter also outlines target dates for design processes, bid awards and other steps necessary to complete the memorial by 2011.

 

Also signing the commitment letter were acting National Park Service Director Dan Wenk, Families of Flight 93 Vice President Patrick White, Flight 93 Advisory Commission Chairman John Reynolds, and Flight 93 Memorial Task Force Co-Chair Jerry Spangler.

 

The National Park Service is involved in the planning and design processes and will administer the Flight 93 National Memorial, which will cover 2,231 acres.

 

The full announcement is available online.