Special Events
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National Day of Learning
SEPT 11, 2024 -
SEPTEMBER 11 OBSERVANCE
SEPT 11, 2024 -
HEROES' WALK
SEPT 14, 2024 -
PINTS FOR PARKS
SEPT 28, 2024 -
Friends Under the Stars
TBD -
NEW! FRIENDS CONNECTIONS
TBD -
DAY OF CARING
2024 -
Friends Annual Membership Meeting
FEB 2024 -
Volunteer in-Action
SAVE THE DATE!
National Day of Learning
September 11, 2024
To support educators in addressing the challenges of teaching about 9/11 and to inspire the next generation with the Flight 93 Story, Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is thrilled to announce our renewed collaboration with the National Park Service for a virtual National Day of Learning called "Teach to Remember" and with the National Writing Project for "Write to Remember" on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Our programming is designed for grades 6-12 worldwide and includes a combination of pre-recorded lesson plans, live streaming of the Memorial Service, a special Moment of Remembrance, and interactive sessions with park rangers.
- Virtual Event tailored for Grades 6-12
- Engage in a Guided Tour of the Memorial
- Explore the Flight 93 Story
- Participate in a Live Memorial Service at 9:50 AM EDT
- Join Live Stream Q&A Sessions
- Sessions offered in Eastern and Pacific Time zones
2023
SPONSORS
We would like to express our gratitude to our sponsors for assisting us with the launch of our National Day of Learning - Teach to Remember 9/11. Thank you for your support!
AMERISERV
FIRSTENERGY FOUNDATION
FRANK QUATTRONE & DENISE FODERARO
FRED & SANDRA LUKACHINSKY
HOLLERN INSURANCE
PATRIOT PARK FOUNDATION
THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION
2023
PRESS RELEASE
- Memorial Announces ‘Teach to Remember’; Virtual Day of Learning for September 11 | The National Park Service and the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial announce, ‘Teach to Remember,’ a virtual education program, as part of the evolving 9/11 ceremony at Flight 93 National Memorial.
2023
PARTNERSHIP
SAVE THE DATE!
September 11 Observance
September 11, 2024
Honoring the Heroes of Flight 93: A Recap of the 22nd Observance
On Monday, September 11th, the Moment of Remembrance began at 9:50 a.m. EDT at the Memorial Plaza. The National Park Service warmly invited the public to a thirty-minute name reading, starting at 9:50 a.m. ET, to pay tribute to the passengers and crew members. With the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance, each name was read aloud.
A public wreath-laying ceremony was held at 2 p.m. near the Wall of Names on the Memorial Plaza. The event took place outside, so attendees walked on mown grass and uneven ground. The ceremony was held rain or shine, but in case of severe weather, certain parts of the program were subject to change.
The Visitor Center opened at 9:00 a.m. and closed at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11th. All programming was free and open to the public.
- For the latest updates on the September 11 Observance, visit September 11 Observance - Flight 93 National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).
- To view photographs of the 21st Obeservance, visit Photo Gallery (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).
2023
PRESS RELEASE
2023
LIVE STREAMED CEREMONY
22nd Observance of September 11 | Moment of Remembrance
SAVE THE DATE!
2024 HEROES' WALK
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Stay tuned for updates on this year's walk at Flight 93 National Memorial!
Recap of Last Year's Annual Walk
Introducing the Newly Enhanced Western Overlook at Flight 93 National Memorial | Last year's participants were given the exclusive opportunity to witness the upgraded Western Overlook as a "First View." Following the walk, a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Friends to honor the completion of the project.
Thanks to the hard work of families, donors, sponsors, and the Flight 93 National Memorial maintenance team, this project was made possible. The Army National Guard from the 333 Battalion in Reading, PA also played a vital role by offering their engineering and construction services. The various fundraising efforts throughout the year of 2022 contributed tremendously to the project's success. We are incredibly grateful for everyone's dedication and support.
Exploring the Western Overlook: A Unique Interpretive Program | In September 2001, the Western Overlook played a vital role as a point of first contact between families and the crash site. It also served as a site for first responders to aid family members and for the investigation of Flight 93. Today, park rangers have developed a new interpretive program called "13 Days in September" which consists of a walking tour designed to explore the historical significance of this site.
Representatives from Families, National Park Service and Friends cut the ribbon and spoke during the dedication, while walk participants were the "First View" of the enhanced space. Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps volunteers provided flowers to walkers to leave behind in honor and memory of the 40 passenger and crew members.
2023
SPONSORS
Concurrent Technologies Corporation, First Flight Foundation, Global/SFC Valve Corporation, Hollern Insurance, Terri Lesieutre, Terry Butler, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services
SAVE THE DATE!
2024 PINTS FOR PARKS
September 28, 2024
Stay tuned for more information to come!
2023 | Forbes Trail Brewing Event 'Pints for Parks' Benefiting Friends & Flight 93 National Memorial
A big thank you to everyone who joined us at Forbes Trail Brewing on Saturday, September 23, to drink some ‘Giving Back’ Pale Ale and support Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. The event was in support of the Memorial Groves at Flight 93 National Memorial, which consists of 40 groves of 40 trees that serve as a living tribute to the passengers and crew members who were on Flight 93.
Executive Director Donna Gibson expressed the need for help in preserving the Memorial Groves and its cultural resources, which have been weakened over time by harsh winter weather, high winds, tough soil, and wildlife. All proceeds raised from the sales of the special brew, Pints for Parks merchandise, and donations will go towards supporting, maintaining, and caring for the groves and surrounding landscape.
During the event, Ms. Gibson drew tickets for door prizes, including a book, "Like a River to the Sea" written by author and family member, Jack Grandcolas. Friends hosted a Friends Connections, new speaker forum (rebranding of the Speaker Series) with Jack Grandcolas on October 12, 2023, at 7:00 PM ET.
Special thanks to Forbes Trail Brewing for partnering with us to host the event, and to musicians Lucas Waggle and The Feels for providing live entertainment.
Friends Under the Stars | TBD
2023 - Friends Under the Stars: A Dark Sky Program at Flight 93 National Memorial | On August 11, 2023, Friends of Flight 93 and the National Park Service collaborated to host a unique Dark Sky Program. The event included Astronomy clubs from Cumberland and Hollidaysburg, and was held at Flight 93 National Memorial.
The highlight of the night was the spectacular viewing of the night sky, featuring one of the best meteor showers of the year with peak activity this month. This made for the perfect end to the summer for sky gazing. The participants were treated to the sight of Saturn and the Perseids, a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle that was predicted to put on a good show.
NEW! FRIENDS CONNECTIONS
FRIENDS REBRANDING THE ANNUAL SPEAKER SERIES 
Welcome to Friends Connections, a new speaker forum, where members and friends can stay informed on the various projects and programs designed to support Flight 93 National Memorial.
Previous Connections
Friends Hosted their Inaugural Virtual Speaker Forum | On October 12 at 7:00 PM ET, Friends welcomed Flight 93 Family Member and author Jack Grandcolas as a guest speaker. Jack shared insights on love, loss, healing, PTSD/PTSI, and hope during the event, also delving into his latest book, "Like a River to the Sea," dedicated to his late wife Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas and their unborn child.
Recognizing Our Veterans: A Special Thank You from the Friends Executive Director | On November 9, 2023, the Friends Executive Director took the time to express her gratitude to all veterans. During the online virtual speaker forum, Gibson spoke with a panel of post 9/11 veterans. The discussion focused on their experiences on 9/11 and how they use the Flight 93 story to connect with the next generation. The esteemed panelists for this special Veteran's Day forum were representatives from the Sinise Foundation and the 9:57 Project. Both organizations have collaborated with Friends on various educational initiatives.
2024 Friends Day of Caring
On Friday, April 26, 2024, Friends and the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial celebrated Earth Day, National Volunteer and National Park Month. The celebration concluded with Friends' inaugural 'Day of Caring' at the memorial. More than 100 volunteers participated in the event planting trees and installing fences to protect the newly planted seedlings from wildlife.
Local and Regional individuals and organizations sponsored teams to help raise funds to support this environmental initiative. We extend our gratitude to our 2024 Day of Caring Sponsors. Thank you to all who took part and sponsored our Day of Caring. All funds from this event were allocated to our Environmental fund.
2024
Sponsors
Allegheny County Airport Authority, Brenda Torrey Photography, Concurrent Technologies Corportation, Emma Munson Foundation, Fred & Sandy Lukachinsky, Hollern Insurance, Leonardo DRS, Negley's Water, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Somerset Trust Company, The Salvation Army of Western PA Emergency Disaster Service
2024 Friends Annual Membership Meeting
The meeting was conducted virtually on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
VOLUNTEER-IN-ACTION
Friends have teamed up with the National Park Service to provide volunteer support for a variety of annual programs and events held at Flight 93 National Memorial. Join us and learn more about these events, which range from Friends-only (*indicated by asterisks) to open to the public. Get involved and become a part of our community.
FRIENDS DAY OF CARING | APR 26, 2024
Reforestation on a Reclaimed Strip Mine: A Collaborative Partnership | This year, Friends and the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial celebrated Earth Day, National Volunteer and National Park Month on Friday, April 26. The celebration concluded with Friends' inaugural 'Day of Caring' at the memorial. Over 100 volunteers participated in the event planting trees and installing fences to protect the newly planted seedlings from wildlife.
Local and regional individuals and organizations sponsored teams to help raise funds to support this environmental initiative. Stay tuned for future Day of Caring projects.
*LUMINARIA - Lanterns Washing | 2026 
Annual Luminaria to Honor the Passengers and Crew of Flight 93 | On September 10, an event to honor the passengers and crew of Flight 93 will take place, where forty luminaria candle lanterns will be lit and placed below the names of those who were lost on September 11, 2001. Family members, National Park Service staff, distinguished guests, and friends will attend and pay their respects. This annual event occurs every five years, with the next one being held in 2021 during the Twentieth Observance. All are welcome to attend this solemn and peaceful occasion.
SEPTEMBER 11 OBSERVANCE | SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 
Annual September 11th Commemorative Service: Honor and Remembrance | Every year on September 11th, the community gathers for an open-air commemorative service to pay tribute to the passengers and crew members of Flight 93. At 10:03 a.m., the time of the plane's crash on September 11, 2001, there is a moment of silence followed by the reading of the names of those lost. The Bells of Remembrance are rung, and brief addresses are made. The event is open to the public and friends provide support to the National Park Service by assisting with registration, seating guests, and hosting a private family reception before and after the ceremony.
Heroes' Walk | SEPT 14, 2024
Join the Public Walk to Support Flight 93 National Memorial | On September 11, 2001, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 prevented an attack on our nation's capital, and the Flight 93 National Memorial was created in their honor. To promote awareness of this site, a public walk is being held. Take a 2.28-mile walk down the Allée, Wetlands Bridge, and Western Overlook Trail to explore the memorial's trail network and learn more about this 21st-century historic event. This walk allows you to connect with the new National Park and enjoy the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands. All proceeds from the walk will directly aid in the completion of the original memorial design and environmental projects at Flight 93 National Memorial.
*ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING | FEB 3, 2024
Virtual Membership Meetings by Friends | Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial holds virtual membership meetings to showcase new board members, upcoming special events, and provide updates on annual programs, projects and accomplishments. This meeting is a chance to review the Annual Report, reflect on the past year, and prepare as we approach the 23rd Observance of September 11, 2001 in 2024.
View 2023 Friends Annual Membership Meeting now.