Selection Panel That Includes Flight 93 Families Created for Flight 93 Heroes Award
National winner to be named on Sept. 10, a day before 20th anniversary of 9/11
SOMERSET, Pa., July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial today announced a selection panel will help determine the winner of the first Flight 93 Heroes Award to be made public on Sept. 10.
The panel will include families of the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 and representatives from the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial board, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation.
All of the entities engaged in the effort support the memorial and work to keep alive the memory of the 40 Flight 93 passengers and crew members. The National Park Foundation, for example, contributed more than $45 million from over 110,000 donors to support the Flight 93 National Memorial and helped to establish the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial.
The nominating period for the award officially closed July 4. Finalists will be announced on Sept. 9 in Pittsburgh at an event hosted by the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. The winner will be named on Sept. 10, one day before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States.
Donna Gibson, president of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, said people from all over the country nominated candidates for the Flight 93 Heroes Award.
"We believe this award is an important way for us to honor the bravery and courage of the passengers and crew members on Flight 93," Gibson said. "At the same time, we can highlight the heroics of other everyday people."
On September 11, 2001, those on board Flight 93 told loved ones in phone calls from the flight that they intended to storm the cockpit after the plane was hijacked, thwarting a plan to fly it into the U.S. Capitol. Because of the heroism of those onboard, the airplane didn't reach its target and instead crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa.
Jody Greene, whose father was a passenger on Flight 93, explained that the Flight 93 Heroes Award is a crucial aspect of keeping the memory of Flight 93 alive. She said that over 75 million people have been born since September 11, 2001 and have no memory of that day, nor the incredible acts of heroism made by the Flight 93 passengers and crew members.
"The award will further the mission of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, ensuring that the story of Flight 93 is remembered, its impact shared and its legacy preserved," said Greene.
Stephen Clark, Superintendent of Flight 93 National Memorial, believes it is vital to educate the public about Flight 93, and 2021 provides a tremendous opportunity to do so, with the new Flight 93 Heroes Award.
"It is so important for people to understand this part of American history," he said. "We are pleased that there are so many ways for people to learn about Flight 93 this year."
More information about the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial can be found by visiting www.Flight93Friends.org.
ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Established in 2009, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is the official nonprofit partner of Flight 93 National Memorial. The Friends focus on awareness, education, volunteer support, preservation and stewardship to ensure that Flight 93 National Memorial will remain accessible, relevant and inspirational to present and future generations. To learn more about the Friends, or make a donation to support the Friends, visit www.Flight93Friends.org.
SOURCE Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, Inc.
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