Flight 93 National Memorial prepares for annual 9/11 observance

STONYCREEK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Flight 93 National Memorial had about 25,000 people last year over a three-day time span for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The park is not expecting crowds as large this year, but preparations for this year’s observance are well underway.

Approaching the 21st anniversary of Sept. 11th, a steady stream of visitors came to Flight 93 National Memorial on Friday.

The Steeles, from Indiana County, said this is personal to them.

“Our son and son in law served in Iraq because of this. We went almost a year and a half not knowing if they were coming home. It means a lot to us,” Alice Steele said.

A flood of memories came back to them from that day and where they were that Tuesday morning.

“When I walked in, I saw the one plane hit and it sort of screwed my whole day, just watched it the whole time,” Ed Steele said.

“I finally got it on there, and just as the other plane went. I thought, good Lord, I thought we were being invaded,” Alice Steele said.

As visitors from all over the country stood solemnly but united, crews on the ground closer to the site were setting up for Sunday’s service, where first lady Jill Biden and the Secretary of Interior will deliver remarks.

“Were setting a stage and getting the area ready for visitors to come out and pay their respects on September the 11th,” Katie Hostetler, of the Flight 93 National Memorial, said.

The observance takes place at 9:45 Sunday morning — the same time every year at the exact moment of impact.

Each name of the passenger and crew will be read, followed by the ringing of the bell and a ceremonial wreath-laying.

It is the first time the service will be open to the public since 2019 and the park is expecting a couple thousand people.

“I’m glad… glad to know there’s still people that care for our country,” the Steeles said.

“It’s important that we have events such as this, the observance on Sunday, to remember the crew and passengers and what they did and truly changed history,” Hostetler said.

Park rangers said if you do plan to be at the service on Sunday, give yourself an extra 45 minutes to an hour to get in and get shuttled to the site.

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