“Over 20 years ago we as a nation promised to never forget. This classroom trip helps us keep this promise,” said Brad Wetzel
On Friday, September 29 I and 46 other sophomores were given the opportunity to attend the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa. We were accompanied by history teachers Brad Wetzel, Joel Trentin, and Matt Basciano.
When we first arrived, there we were met by Ranger Gregory. He was with us for most of the day explaining stories, facts, and theories about September 11, 2001 and Flight 93.
We were in front of the Visitor’s Center when Ranger Gregory first started explaining some of the stories and theories we would learn that day.
One story revealed that the workers who were working at the junkyard were able to see the plane upside down and that it was close enough to the ground that they could see their own reflection. Another worker was taking a break and listening to the radio when he heard about the planes crashing into the towers then a few seconds later he saw Flight 93 coming over the hill upside down very close to the ground.
We went on to the Western Overlook where he pointed out the boulder that marks where the plane crashed and that is now also a grave for passengers of Flight 93 who were not identified. He showed us the red barn and the pathway the plane took. He also explained how close the crash sight is next to Shanksville-Stonycreek elementary, middle, and high school and how students and teachers heard and felt the plane crash. He then went on to tell us a story that one of the teachers from that school told him. He mentioned how she was blessed that the plane did not crash on top of the school and kill so many more.
We were then able to go in and look around the visitor center. The center helped to show the story of the passengers and crew members, as well as the response and investigation following the crash. On one wall the route of the plane became clear, another had photo wall of the passengers, a wall of quotes, a section full of how they fought back, a diagram of the plane, and the last calls.
There are about 35 recordings that are on repeat throughout the day that you can listen to. The calls take place as they are crashing and figuring out everything. In the background, you can hear some of the other passengers planning what they will do. This wall is right beside the wall of passenger photos. Many peers said the last call station was the most emotional.
Before we left we took a walk down to the crash and bolder sight. Teachers, students, and others who gathered around, sat on a bench as Ranger Gregory explained how first class on the plane would have been set up on Flight 93. He explained his theory on how he thinks the cabinet door was locked and that’s why it took longer for the terrorists to take over the plane. And that on Flight 11, 77, and 175 the cabinet doors might have been accidentally left unlocked which would have made it easier for the terrorists to get in. He then went on to explain more things about the plane and a few more stories before we were able to look at the engraved stones, the bolder sight from afar.
In my opinion, this trip was shocking and quite informative. At the same time, it was also very interesting. The stories and theories we were able to hear about gave me a whole new perspective on this horrible day. When we were able to go into the visitor center and listen to the passenger’s last call, it helped me fully realize how many things were going on and changing in a matter of minutes or even seconds. The passenger’s bravery was impactful and extremely honorable.
When we walked down to the crash and boulder sight it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Ranger Gregory was able to make it very easy to imagine what was going on in the plane and I thought it was interesting to see it acted out the way he did. At the end of this trip, I realized how impactful this historic event is in a whole new perspective.
I asked other sophomores who attended this trip how they felt when they were there. Here are some of their responses:
“I felt sad. Although I have been here in the past, being here and seeing it again reminds me of how courageous everyone was that day and that we shouldn’t take life for granted.” ~ Gabriella Simone-Lurito sophomore
“I felt sad. The entire place felt sad because everyone there was mourning. There were parts of it that made you feel better like when you learned about the people on Flight 93 who fought for themselves. That made me feel better about how it ended” ~ Grace Torrillo
“I felt good. The tour guide helped me learn a lot more than I already knew about Flight 93. Overall my experience was good and the tour guide was great and gave us a lot more information that you can’t learn anywhere else.” ~ Camron Forbes
“It felt crazy because we were at the sight of the most deadly terrorist attack in the U.S.” ~ said Danny Noonan
“The experience was nice, seeing and hearing all the things they know and the stories we were told were all interesting” ~ Anthoney Monios
“I felt sad yet proud. I was sad about what happened and it made me felt sick to my stomach. I was proud that we made a memorial for all the lives lost” ~ Cody Robinson
“At the Flight 93 memorial, I felt that our Guide Gregory put a ton of effort into explaining the memorial and what went down that day. He also went into detail about the family’s experiences which was so cool to learn about!” ~ Elliana Hutchinson
“It was interesting to hear some of the stories but it was definitely a sad time. Hearing some of the phone calls were very sad as well.” ~ Ayrabella Norris
“I felt like I learned a lot. I liked hearing all the other stories, like about how they saw the plane and home they experienced watching the plane fly above them and crash.” ~ Jeffrey David
“I felt sad because our world changed that day and I felt like there was a connection they were there with us.” ~ Hailey Olczak
“I thought it was cool to learn some of the facts he gave us that we didn’t know if it was true or not. And how the plane fellow over that side wall they put in.” ~ Sam Hochard
“I enjoyed it and I learned a lot of new stuff. Our tour guide was very good and definitely knew what he was talking about.” ~ Marley Hudspath
“I felt sad because people did not survive the crash. And the people could not do anything about it, but I also felt good to learn about what happened.” ~ Owen Teslevich
“I felt sympathic for the families of the people who died that day and sacrificed their lives for everyone. It was a very sad and emotional experience that probably impact everyone for generations to come.” ~ Sierra Lyons
“It was just a really sad environment, but it was a really cool experience.” ~ Lily Cowan
