On September 10, 2011, memorial services were held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the terrorists attacks on America’s financial center in New York City, the Pentagon Defense Complex in Arlington, Virginia, and a failed attack on the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Speakers on hand for the occasion included, former Presidents George W. Bush and William J. Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill. The services were held to dedicate Phase l of the memorial at the site of the newest national park. The memorial currently consists of 40 standing marble slabs inscribed with the names of the 40 crew members and passengers who died aboard Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.
From information gained from cell phone conversations of those on the plane with family members back home, the country learned of the heroic actions of the crew and passengers, who fought to overthrow the hijackers. The heroes of Flight 93 succeeded in stopping a planned attack on either the White House or U.S. Capitol building, but lost their lives while doing so.
Former Homeland Security Director, Tom Ridge, on September 11, 2002 called the men and women aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, “citizen soldiers.”
On September 11, 2001, in the blue skies above Shanksville, Pennsylvania, these forty men and women looked evil in the eye, and stopped its bloodthirsty onslaught.
Captain Jason Dahl. The 43-year-old Standards Captain changed his flight schedule to take his wife, Sandy, to London for a fifth anniversary present. Jason’s love for flying began when he was young, joining the Civil Air Patrol at age 13, and flying solo flights by age 16. Dahl, a native of San Jose, California, graduated from San Jose State University in 1980 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Jason is survived by his wife, and teenage son.
First Officer LeRoy Homer. A native of Marlton, New Jersey, this 36-year-old earned his private pilot license by age 16, and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1987. LeRoy, also served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and has flown humanitarian flights to Somalia. LeRoy is survived by his wife and child.
Lorraine G. Bay. Lorraine is one of United Airlines most senior flight attendants at 58-years-old. The Philadelphia native has worked for United Airlines for 37 years, and serves as a mentor for younger flight attendants. Lorraine is survived by her husband, Erich, of 22 years.
Sandy Waugh Bradshaw. Bradshaw, a Climax, North Carolina native had cut back on flying after eleven years as a flight attendant, choosing to spend more time with her two young children and teenage stepdaughter. Sandy told her husband, Phil, in a phone conversation that she and others were boiling water to throw on the hijackers. At the end of the conversation, Sandy said the passengers were rushing up to first class.
Wanda Anita Green. Green, a native of Oakland, California was among the first Black flight attendants hired by United Airlines. Green, mother of two, was a deacon in her church in her Linden, New Jersey, and had earned her real estate license.
CeeCee Ross Lyles. A native of Fort Pierce, Florida, CeeCee had only recently begun her career as a United Airlines flight attendant. Formerly, a police officer in Fort Pierce, CeeCee was fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant. Shortly before the plane crashed, CeeCee spoke with husband, Lorne, and they prayed together. Before saying goodbye, Lorne reports she told him to tell their boys she loved them, and “We’re getting ready to do it now. It’s happening.”
Deborah Jacobs Welsh. Welsh, the 49-year-old purser onboard Flight 93, was the oldest of six siblings. When she wasn’t working, Deborah delivered leftover airline meals to the homeless in Manhattan where she lived with her husband, Patrick.
Christian Adams. On a business trip from his home in Beibelsheim, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany, Adams destination was a San Francisco event promoting German wines. The 37-year-old Adams was described by a friend as having a thoughtful and quiet manner. Adams leaves behind his wife, son, and daughter.
Todd M. Beamer. Raised in the Chicago area, Beamer managed accounts for a computer software company, Oracle Corp. After the hijackers took control of the plane, Beamer attempted to call his wife, Lisa, on the public phone at the back of the plane. The call was received in the Verizon Airfone customer service department, where the first representative panicked when she learned about situation on the plane. The representative asked her supervisor, Lisa Jefferson, to take the call over. During the call Todd told Lisa about his family, asking her to relay messages to wife. Just before the passenger stormed the cockpit, Beamer asked Lisa to say the Lord’s Prayer with him. After they finished praying, the last words Lisa heard him say was “Are you ready? Okay. Let’s roll.”
Anthony Alan Beavan. A native of New Zealand, Beavan worked as an environmental litigation attorney in Oakland, California. Beavan, was on the flight to California to handle one last case, before he and family were to leave for a one year stay in India, where he would handle environmental cases for the country. Beavan is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons from a previous marriage.
Mark Bingham. Bingham was the last passenger to board Flight 93, having overslept. Bingham, the owner of a public relations firm, The Bingham Group, was returning home to San Francisco after attending a meeting to set up an east coast operation. Bingham is survived by his mother, father and stepmother.
Deora Frances Bodley. Bodley, the youngest passenger aboard Flight 93, was returning to her home in California after visiting friends on the east coast. The 20-year-old Santa Clara University student was studying French and Psychology. Bodley was an active volunteer, working with Special Olympics and the San Diego Zoo. Bodley is survived by her mother, father, and half sister.
Marion R. Britton. Britton was Assistant Regional Director for the United States Census Bureau. The 53-year-old was on Flight 93 with a co-worker, Waleska Martinez, to San Francisco, California to attend a conference. In the course of her job as a Census counter, Britton was known to go back to needy families after hours to deliver food and clothing to them. Britton is survived by a brother, and half-brother.
Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. A native of Bloomington, Minnesota, Burnett was Chief Operating Officer of Thoratec Corporation, a company that makes heart pumps for patients waiting for a heart transplant. Burnett’s wife, Deena, gave news updates via four phone calls during the flight. Deena states her husband said, “We have to do something. We can’t wait for the authorities. It’s up to us. I think we can do it.” Burnett is survived by his wife, and three daughters.
William Joseph Cashman. A resident of West New York, New Jersey, Cashman, along with his buddy, Patrick Joseph Driscoll, were traveling to meet members of the 101st Airbone Division in Yosemite National Park for a hiking excursion. Cashman is survived by his wife.
Georgine Rose Corrigan. This 55-year-old Ohio native was returning home to Honolulu, Hawaii from an east coast buying trip, and visit with her brother. Corrigan was noted antique jewelry dealer. Corrigan is survived by her daughter.
Patricia Cushing. This active, 69-year-old, retired New Jersey Bell Telephone service representative was traveling with her sister-in-law, Jane Fogler. Cushing was a devotee of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and held season tickets. Cushing is survived by two daughters, and three sons.
Joseph DeLuca. A systems specialist at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, DeLuca designed computer software. DeLuca, showed his more adventurous side in his car of choice, a yellow Morgan Roadster. DeLuca, a 52-year-old, also wrote a syndicated cartoon, “The Adventures of Raymond the Cat.” He is survived by his parents, and a sister. Joseph DeLuca was 52-years-old.
Patrick Joseph Driscoll. Driscoll, a 70-year-old retired Director of Software Development for Bell Communications, was traveling with friend, William Cashman. The two long time friends departed home anticipating high adventure in Yosemite National Park. Driscoll is survived by his wife, a daughter, and three sons.
Edward Porter Felt. While only 41-years-old, Felt had already been awarded two patents in encryption technology. Felt is survived by his wife, Sandy, and two daughters.
Jane C. Folger. Folger, a 73-year-old Bayonne, New Jersey resident was a retired bank officer for Commercial Trust. Folger and her sister-in-law, Patricia Cushing, embarked together on a vacation trip to see San Francisco, California. Folger is survived by a daughter, and three sons.
Colleen L. Fraser. This diminutive, 51-year-old, Executive Director at the Progressive Center for Independent Living boarded Flight 93 to reach her destination in Reno, Nevada, where a grant writing seminar was to be held. Fraser helped write the “Americans with Disabilities Act.” Fraser is survived by a sister and brother.
Andrew (Sonny) Garcia. Owner of Cinco Group, Inc., an industrial goods supplier business, this 62-year-old, is survived by his wife, and two daughters, and one of 32 years, Dorothy, and daughters; Kelly, Audrey Olive, and son
Jeremy Logan Glick. Glick, a 31-year-old resident of Hewitt, New Jersey, was a sales manager for the Internet management company, Vividence, Inc. Glick called his wife to keep her informed of events on Flight 93 during the hijacking. Glick is survived by his wife and daughter.
Kristin Osterholm White Gould. A resident of New York City, New York, Gould was a Renaissance woman with a love for travel, literature, foreign languages, and writing. Gould was a freelance medical writer, and is survived by her daughter.
Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas. At 38-years-old, Lauren and her husband, Jack, were expecting their first child. In addition to her job as Advertising Sales Consultant for Good Housekeeping Magazine, Lauren was an aspiring writer. After her death, Lauren’s incomplete manuscript, “You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls” was completed and published by her sisters.”
Donald Freeman Greene. Traveling onboard Flight 93, Greene, was taking time away from his duties as, Executive Vice President of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation, for a Lake Tahoe rendezvous with his brothers for some hiking and biking. The 52-year-old husband, father, and business executive is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Linda Gronlund. A combination business and pleasure trip placed Gronlund aboard Flight 93, with her boyfriend Joe DeLuca. The couple had planned to tour the Napa Valley wine country to celebrate Gronlund’s 47th birthday. Professionally, Gronlund was an attorney, but away from the office she was a capable mechanic, an expert sailor, and had Brown Belt in Karate. Gronlund is survived by her parents, and sister.
Richard J. Guadagno. An avid lover of wildlife, Guadagno had the perfect job, as Project Manager for the United Stated Fish and Wildlife Service. After spending time in New Jersey with family celebrating his grandmother’s 100th birthday, Guadagno was on a return flight to his home in Eureka, California. Guadagno is survived by his parents, and sister. Guadagno was 38-years-old.
Toshiya Kuge. Kuge was vacationing in the United States during a break from his studies at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. The 20-year-old engineering student is survived by his parents.
Hilda Marcin. Marcin was born in Germany, but immigrated to the United States with her parents at age six. At age 79, Marcin was the oldest passenger on the plane, and was traveling from her home in Irvington, New Jersey to spend the winter in California with her daughter, Carole. Marcin is survived by two daughters.
Waleska Martinez. A native of Puerto Rico, Martinez, would later call Jersey City, New Jersey home. Martinez worked as an Automation Specialist for the United States Census, and enjoyed cooking Italian and Spanish foods for family and friends. Martinez is survived by her parents, sister, and two brothers.
Nicole Carol Miller. Miller, a Dean’s List student at West Valley College in Saratoga, California, was returning home to San Jose, California from an impromptu east coast vacation trip. The 21-year-old is survived by her mother, father, stepparents, sister, half-sister, and two stepbrothers
Louis J. Nacke, II. Nacke, Director of Distribution Center for Kay-Bee Toys, was traveling aboard Flight 93 on a business trip. The 42-year-old, New Hope, Pennsylvania resident leaves behind his wife, and two sons from a previous marriage.
Donald Arthur Peterson and wife, Jean Hoadley Peterson. The Peterson’s boarded Flight 93 for an intended vacation destination at Yosemite National Park. Both, Donald and Jean were retired; Don as president of Continental Electric Company, and Jean, her job as a Registered Nurse. Donald and Jean worked as volunteers; Donald with men fighting drug and alcohol addiction, and Jean with women in crisis pregnancies. Donald’s Bible was found at the crash site intact with a list of men he was praying for. Donald and Jean each leave three children from previous marriages.
Mark David Rothenberg. A Plains, New Jersey resident, Rothenberg was traveling on a business trip to Taiwan. The 52 year-old owner of MDR Global Resources was married, and had two children.
Christine Ann Snyder. Like many other passengers aboard Flight 93, Snyder’s travel was job related in some way. An arborist, Snyder was Project Manager for “The Outdoor Circle,” a well-known Hawaiian environment group. Only thirty-two-years old, Christine and her husband, Paul, had only been married three months.
John Talignani. Talignani, a 74-year-old retired bartender was traveling to California to attend the memorial service for his stepson, who had been killed in an automobile accident while on his honeymoon. Talignani’s wife, Selma, preceded him in death.
Honor Elizabeth Wainio. Wainio, the District Manager for Discovery Channel Stores, was traveling aboard Flight 93 to San Francisco for company business meetings. The twenty-seven-year native of Cantonville, Maryland, called her stepmother with news about the hijacking, saying, “They’re getting ready to break into the cockpit. I have to go. I love you. Goodbye.”
The action of these heroic human beings has prompted the promise from leaders of both major political parties, for financial support to complete the memorial, and maintenance of the national park. Former Present Clinton and Speaker of the House John Boehner have vowed to work together to raise funds for the memorial.
Sources
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/10/140362445/crowd-drawn-to-pa-field-to-honor-flight-93-victims
http://www.nps.gov/flni/historyculture/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=320995
http://articles.cnn.com/2002-09-11/us/ar911.memorial.pennsylvania_1_passengers-united-airlines-flight-hijackers?_s=PM:US
http://www.ydr.com/state/ci_18867180