Four days ago, thousands stood in a remote Somerset County field to remember the day a year ago when United Airlines Flight 93's passengers and crew fought back as terrorists descended on America.
On Saturday, the passengers and crew who perished in the Sept. 11, 2001, plane crash near Shanksville in Stonycreek Township were given the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Sons of the American Revolution.
"Today we recognize the sacrifices of each individual," said Tony Robinson, president of the Arthur St. Clair Chapter SAR in Circleville, Ohio.
As SAR members from across the country gathered near the temporary memorial to Flight 93 victims, visitors to the site joined them. A color guard consisting of SAR members from six states, all clad in Revolutionary War uniforms and bearing muskets, marched from the memorial entrance into the field. They were followed by a "living flag," a dozen area residents attired in red, white and blue.
Yesterday's program was called "Tribute to the Heroes who Died for our Freedom," and was intended as the first of what SAR officials hope will be an annual SAR memorial ceremony marking Sept. 11, 2001.
Robinson said the families of the five men believed to have formulated and put into action the plan to attack the plane's hijackers — Jeremy Glick, Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett and Louis Nacke II — would each receive a Medal for Heroism.
The SAR did not exclude the remaining 28 passengers and seven crew members on the flight. One blank medal, Robinson said, is reserved "for all the people who were on the plane and gave their all."
That medal will be placed in the new SAR museum at its headquarters in Louisville, Ky.
A light wind blew yesterday, but the skies remained sunny and clear, much like they were on Sept. 11, 2001, when Flight 93, bound from New Jersey to San Francisco, was commandeered by four terrorists and then, it is believed, taken back by the passengers and crew.
On the first anniversary last Wednesday, many of the passengers' and crew's friends and families visited the site. Tiny angels, each marked with a passenger's name, stood in two rows. Photos encased in plastic, still-fresh flowers, candles and stuffed animals remained yesterday, left at what many families consider their loved ones' final resting place.
In presenting the Medals for Heroism, Robinson said, "We honor the acts of courage...of a defining day when they answered as our patriot comrades did...this time answering, 'Let's roll.'"
"Our Somerset-Cambria chapter (SAR) has marked the graves of 46 Revolutionary patriots in Somerset County," said chapter President Harvey Meyers, "and we have identified over 25 more. The patriots on Flight 93 were as brave as our Revolutionary War veterans who fought for the freedom and independence of this country."
Similar sentiments were expressed in March after a visit to the site by Marci Nacke, sister-in-law of passenger Louis Nacke II.
"This is hallowed ground," she told the Tribune-Review at the time. "This is where the first battle in the war on terrorism happened. It was the battle of Shanksville."
In July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to create a national memorial at the crash site, establishing a commission to advise the Interior Department on the planning, design, construction and long-term management of a permanent memorial.
The SAR defines itself as an educational and historical group dedicated to keeping alive the memory of the patriots who fought for America's independence. The SAR's 13,000 members trace their ancestors to individuals supporting the American Revolution.
"The national officers got together and decided to do a little something at all of the terrorist sites," Meyers said.
Also attending yesterday's program was national SAR President B. Rice Aston, of Houston, Texas, who spoke about loss and the necessity of stopping to pay respects and comfort the living. He said Sept. 11, 2001, will be remembered by Americans as Dec. 7, 1941, still is.
Aston recalled the tragedies of Sept. 11, of Pearl Harbor, "and of our young President Kennedy. They are buried deep in our nation's psyche and we will always remember them."
Calling terrorism an "obscenity against humanity," Aston said it can never be justified.
Raymond Musgrave, national SAR secretary general from Point Pleasant, W.Va., said, "The commemoration is indeed a time to reflect on all those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. This ceremony will demonstrate our grateful obligation to those who sacrificed their lives, as did our forefathers, in order that all people may choose freedom and liberty."
Also speaking yesterday was SAR member Lee Walker, who traveled from his home in California to his hometown to attend the ceremony.
Walker, who was born within sight of the crash area, attended Shanksville-Stonycreek High School.
"We need to rededicate ourselves and keep that memory like a bell," he said. "When you hear that bell, you need to let freedom ring."
At the memorial, Aston presented certificates recognizing their actions to the volunteer fire departments of Berlin, Central City, Friedens, Hooversville, Listie, Shanksville, Somerset and Stoystown.
"They did a marvelous job," Aston said.
Aston also presented a specially designed flag to Somerset County. Blue, white and gold, the flag's center panel reads: "In memory of those patriots who gave their lives for our freedom on Sept. 11, 2001," and "Let's roll," the words made famous by passenger Todd Beamer.
Members of the Somerset and Cambria Daughters of the American Revolution also attended the ceremony.
The day concluded with members of the color guard firing their muskets, the white puffs of smoke evaporating in the field.
As the crowd began to filter out, the Berlin Fife & Drum Corps played "Amazing Grace."
