Philadelphians Make Trip to Shanksville with Smerconish for 9/11 Memorial for Flight 93

Along with 400 others, I arrived at 4:45 a.m. at the Plymouth Meeting Mall Saturday morning to board eight buses—led by Talk Radio WPHT 1210’s Michael Smerconish—that took us to the Flight 93 memorial dedication in Shanksville. A two-lane country road leading to the site was jammed with cars, buses and locals selling flags along the roadside. As we went through an impressive, well-run security checkpoint, we passed a rock marking the impact point of Flight 93. This visual set the tone for the rest of the day, and the somber atmosphere deepened as the names of the crew and passengers were read, a bell toll marking each one. Former U.S. President George Bush received a standing ovation prior to his remarks. Firemen, police, military personnel, and people young and old made up the crowd of more than 3,000. —Jeff Fusco
 

A 17-ton boulder marks the impact zone of the crash site of Flight 93.
 

An attendee holds a tribute to be placed at the wall of the Flight 93 Memorial.
 

A father and son set up a display of flags at the dedication.
 

A member of the Manheim VFW Post salutes during the playing of the national anthem.
 

A flag is waved during the dedication.
 

 

 

Attendees listen as the names of the Flight 93 passengers and crew are read.
 

“God Bless America” is displayed on one of the eight buses that made the trip from the Philadelphia area for the Flight 93 memorial dedication.
 

Michael Smerconish prepares to board Bus #1 at 5:15 a.m. for the trek to Shanksville.
 

A plaque dedicated to the passengers and crew of Flight 93.
 

From left to right: Former U.S. President George Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Jill Biden, and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden attended the dedication.
 

Former U.S. President George Bush speaks at the dedication.
 

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey arrives at the memorial dedication in Shanksville.
 

Smerconish (left) and Chris Matthews broadcast live on MSNBC.
 

A tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93 is left on the Memorial Wall.