Flight 93: Memorial Sees Surge in Visitors 24 Years After 9/11
Twenty-four years after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, interest in the Flight 93 National Memorial remains strong. Located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the 40 passengers and crew members aboard United Airlines Flight 93.
National Park Service leaders have noted a significant increase in visitation to the site. Between 2021 and 2024, the memorial welcomed an average of nearly 375,000 visitors annually. This figure represents a substantial increase compared to the period between 2007 and 2010, when the average annual visitation was around 142,000 before the permanent memorial was completed.
"The numbers are rising, and I still think that the story of Flight 93 has yet to be told," said site superintendent Stephen Clark. The story of Flight 93 is one of courage in the face of unimaginable terror. Passengers and crew members, learning of the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., fought back against the hijackers, preventing the plane from reaching its intended target, believed to be the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
The rural community surrounding the memorial has played a crucial role in honoring the legacy of Flight 93. Residents of Somerset County, like Connie Stevanus, immediately embraced the responsibility of remembering the victims. Stevanus, who lived near the crash site, even found debris from the plane on her property and helped escort visitors to the initial temporary memorial.
A piece of history directly connected to that fateful day has recently been added to the memorial. The Port Authority and United Airlines have transferred the original gate sign from Gate A17 at Newark Airport, where the Flight 93 passengers boarded, to the National Park Service. This sign will be displayed at the memorial in Shanksville, serving as a tangible link to the events of 9/11.
The Flight 93 National Memorial provides a space for reflection and remembrance, ensuring that the heroism of those on board is never forgotten. The annual Moment of Remembrance ceremony continues to draw crowds, and a live stream is available for classrooms across the country, allowing future generations to learn about the sacrifices made on that day.