With an Important Chapter Closed, the Story of 9/11 Is Not Over

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of world events, Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation, charitable partner of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, issued the following statement:

"The death of Osama bin Laden marks an important moment in the history of 9/11, however the story is far from over and our work is not done.  As people around the world reflect on recent events, and as the 10th anniversary of September 11th grows near, it is more important than ever that we remember that fateful day, pay homage to the ones we lost, and honor our heroes – including the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93, who sacrificed their own lives so others could live.  May their courage, sacrifice and heroism never be forgotten."

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Ten years after the events of September 11th, memorials in New York and at the Pentagon are funded.  However, the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA has yet to receive the funds necessary to be complete.   An additional $15 million is needed to finish the project.  To support the Flight 93 National Memorial, people are invited to visit www.honorflight93.org or text "MEMORIAL" to 90999 from their mobile device to donate $10 immediately.  

The Flight 93 National Memorial will be the nation's permanent memorial to the 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, and all of those lost on September 11, 2001.  United Flight 93, originally destined for San Francisco, was hijacked by terrorists in the skies over Ohio.  Once they received word of the attacks in New York and Washington, the passengers and crew took decisive action, choosing to fight their terrorist hijackers.  Together they fought, and through their heroic actions, sacrificed their own lives, ultimately causing United Flight 93 to crash in a field outside of Shanksville, PA, where no individuals on the ground were harmed.  The most popular conclusion, including that of the 9/11 Commission, is that Flight 93 was headed for the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.  The actions of the 40 heroes on United Flight 93 saved countless lives and our nation's capital.

The Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign is an ambitious $60 million initiative.  To date, $45 million has been committed through public and private sources.  The National Park Foundation continues to spearhead the campaign, working to raise the final $15 million to complete the Memorial.  The memorial site is currently under construction with plans to dedicate the memorial on September 10, 2011. The Flight 93 National Memorial will be the only national memorial dedicated to the events of 9/11.  To view the memorial site live, visit www.honorflight93.org/webcam.

About the Flight 93 National Memorial

On September 24, 2002, Congress passed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act. The Act created a new national park unit to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation's capital. The memorial is outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed with the loss of its 40 passengers and crew. For more information about the Flight 93 National Memorial, please visit www.nps.gov/flni. For information on how to support the building of the memorial, go to www.honorflight93.org.

About the National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. Chartered by Congress, we work hand in hand with the National Park Service to strengthen and connect all Americans to our parks, so they are protected for present and future generations. It is a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens took action to first establish, then protect and endow our national parks. Today, the National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable partner for America's national parks.  To learn more visit www.nationalparks.org.  

Media Contact: Victoria Tagliabue, 202-354-6488
[email protected]
Press Website: www.honorflight93.org/presskit

SOURCE National Park Foundation