water on an airplane. when you go back to the little kitchen, you can get the hot water in coach. >> i'm usually seated back there. >> i was pretending i was too. but seriously back to this moment. they got the hot water and that's all the weapon they had. that and the food cart, and they were going to jam their way past these guys with knives, box cutters, which they had been cutting the throats of people with, and they were going to go hand to hand combat with these people to get these religious fanatics out of the way. of course, you're dealing with people determined to die, determined to kill anyone that stops them from what they're up against. you're up against ferocious warriors who have trained for months to kill and be killed and regular people out doing their regular daily lives, visiting relatives, going to work on a business trip. they have to get roused up to

that level of anger and passion and fighting spirit to take on true god-crazed warriors, right? that is a hard combat. and these people did that. they got themselves into a street fight situation, with real trained killers, and they got it done. obviously they would have liked to have gotten control of the plane. they would have liked to have gotten the pilots back in control. but what they did do was stop the other side from doing what it wanted to do, and that was the first sign of american defiance, which came at the first sign of american awareness, which i'm glad to see the minute what was going on, we stopped them. >> there were any number of what if moments that surrounded flight 93, where a matter of seconds could have made a differen difference. the terrorists, chris, they picked well fueled flights and

four flights that had departure times within 25 minutes. this one almost didn't get off the ground and four minutes after its departure was one of the first planes to strike the towers. you look at mark bingham, he was running late that day. he had to sprint to make the flight and had he been a few minutes later beyond, that wouldn't have been on that airplane. 9:24 is when there's a warning that's provided to the pilots that says "beware of cockpit intrusion." four minutes later, the hijacking begins. >> we're both pro cop and i was a capital policeman for a while. i had the uniform and the gun. this is a case where instinct of our officers has to be followed. if you think this guy is trouble, act on it. we're watching the arrival of the dignitaries. we're going to recognize everyone here, i'm sure. the former presidents, president

george bush and former president bill clinton and vice president joe biden. a well known guy right now speaker john boehner is arriving, as well. and they're all taking their positions on the platform for what's going to be a very impressive ceremony from what i've been able to figure. i believe tom ridge is there, as well. >> tom ridge, who of course, was pennsylvania's governor on the day of the attack. and then becomes, because he's tapped by president bush, becomes the nation's first secretary of the department of homeland security. >> michael, do you recognize -- it's very dark here. i'm going to turn around and they're even further away unfortunate. ken salazar, president bush and his wife laura. president clinton.

we have vice president biden and dr. jill biden his wife. let's watch the ceremony. >> today, we also recognize those who made this memorial to the passengers and crew of flight 93 a reality. people from this community, from this state, and from across the nation who share an unwavering commitment to make this field in shanksville, pennsylvania an eternal tribute to those whose unselfish actions spared lives of so many. thousands of people have made the journey to be here in this solemn place and millions more are watching or listening to this ceremony. please welcome you all. let me also welcome several of our distinguished guests. speaker of the house john boehner. [ applause ]

members of the congressional delegation are here with us, as well. [ applause ] there are many state elected officials here as well, representing the state of pennsylvania. [ applause ] and there are many local officials who have been so instrumental in protect thing site over the years. [ applause ] ten years ago, flight 93 took off from newark, new jersey bound for san francisco. terrorists hijacked that plane and three others that terrible day. as part of an organized attack on this country. the hijackers turned the plane towards washington, d.c., aimed, we believe, at the united states capitol.

where both the house and the senate were in session. they never made it. because of the determination and valor of the passengers and crew of flight 93, that plane crashed in this field. less than 20 minutes by air from its presumed target. in the days that followed, as the courageous story of what happened aboard flight 93 emerged, the flag that had been at half staff above the u.s. capitol was brought here by senators arlen specter and rick santorum to fly as a solemn tribute as they sorted through the wreckage. in just a moment following the presentation of the colors of the national park service honor guard, i ask that you turn your attention to the flagpole behind you. as two fbi agents who were here during that investigation will once again raise that flag, the flag that flew over the u.s.

capitol on september 11, as the first flag to fly over this permanent memorial. as we dedicate this memorial and commemorate the story it tells, those who lost their lives are never far from our thoughts. or from the thoughts of those who were spared by their actions. among us today are people who were in the capitol or at the white house on september 11. i would ask them to please stand. [ applause ] now i would invite everyone to stand for the invocation who was chaplain of the house of representatives in 2001 and to remain standing for the singing of the national anthem and the presentation of the colors.

fath father coughlan. >> let us pray. god bless america. here we stand, united in memory and dedication. here a prayer rises from hallowed ground, made sacred by great heroic self-sacrifice so others might live. here is found the beginning of a new national pledge of allegiance, inspired by those who would grasp the few moments given them to take matters into their own hands, and truly make a difference. resolve never to be victims of circumstance, here true americans, witness to a living truth beyond themselves, their

hope to free others who, with them, will change the world. desire to end terrorism and violence, they became willing seed planted for freedom's harvest. only unbelievers, lord god, continue to seek a sign of your love and forgiveness. for we know you have heard the prayers murmured here over a decade. has this anguish been neglected too long? have we not witnessed enough? ordinary people, on their way to work or a family reunion, offer on the altar of this plane all they had, all they loved. then threatened, they refused to

be paralyzed. finding within themselves an art beyond politics. they break the silence and decidedly act together. they do only what is possible in an impossible situation. because they are your children, they find within themselves true freedom. from them, lord, teach us how to release ourselves from the seat belt of economics and draw us together to rush forward to the future, unafraid, because you, again, give us a sense of direction. lord, by this dedication, lift us from sin and death to renewed faith and prayer. bring us and all our sisters and

brothers to a new life, for we place all our trust in you, both now and forever. amen.

♪ o say, can you see by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ and the rockets' red glare

the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ gave proof through the night that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ oh, say, does that star spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ o'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ and the home of the brave? ♪ [ applause ]

>> you may be seated. this memorial is to 40 remarkable people. in less than 30 minutes, they understood their situation, voted on what to do, and acted. each of them is an american hero. poet robert pensky will share with us a reading and call the names of the passengers and crew. as each name is read, representatives of the first responders will toll the bells of remembrance.

a steadfast supporter of this memorial and brother of flight 93 passenger edward phelt, will offer his thoughts on this day, on this memorial. robert? >> any people, a people is what it remembers. for us, the american people, flight 93, because we remember it, has become a significant part of who we are and what we are as a people. however, let's confess and acknowledge that in a communal

occasion of memory and whenever we speak of memory, we are speaking about forgetting. and we can't know what our grand grand children will remember, but we know they will remember this. there's always the fear of the waters of the river of forgetfulness in a beautiful poem from the 19th century, here's the two-line home. on love, on grief on every human thing time sprinkles leafy's water with his wing and it is true that on love and grief, forgetfulness is sometimes sprinkled. the two very short poems i'm going to read to you deal first with the way we can't help but what we remember.

nobody wanted to remember this event. we didn't want to have the burden, as well as the honor of this memory. the first poem is about that helplessness that we remember, whether we want to or not. and the second poem involves the redeeming decency, reasonableness, and in the case of these 40 people, indeed heroism. the first poem about needing to remember even if you don't want to, about the way the world has changed, like many great things about events, this poem was written decades before september 11 by the great poet carlos. it's called "souvenir of the ancient world."

clara strolled in the garden with the children. the sky was green over the grass. the water was golden under the bridges. other elements were blue and rose and orange. a policeman smiled. bicycles passed. a girl stepped onto the lawn to catch a bird. the whole world, germany, china, all was quiet around clara. the children looked at the sky. it was not forbidden. mouth, nose, eyes were open. there was no danger. what clara feared were the heat, the insects. clara feared missing the 11:00 trolly, waiting for letters slow to arrive. not always being able to wear a new dress. but she strolled in the garden in the morning. they had gardens.

they had mornings in those days. that's a poem about a cataclysmic event happening, and it seems there will be no more gardens. the second poem i'll read to you before reading the 40 games, also is not written in english by the great polish poet. i'll read it in my translation. the poem is called "incantation." and for me, it evokes the fact that these people, when they got on the airplane, had no intention of being heroes, voting, protecting. they wanted to go somewhere on ordinary, reasonable human business and then their imagination was challenged by disaster.

incantation. human reason is beautiful and invincible. no bars. no barbed wire. no sentence of banishment can prevail against it. it establishes the universal ideas in language and guides our hand, so we write truth and justice with capital letters. lie and oppression with small. it puts what should be above things as they are. it is an enemy of despair, and a friend of hope. it does not know jew from greek, or slave from master. giving us the estate of the world to manage. it saves austere and transparent phrases from the discord of tortured words. it says that everything is new under the sun.

opens the congealed fist of the past. beautiful and very young are sophia and poetry, her ally in the service of the good. as late as yesterday, nature celebrated their birth. the news was brought to the mountains by a unicorn and an echo. their friendship will be glorious. their time has no limit. their enemies have delivered themselves to destruction. i'll now say the 40 names. christian adams. [ bell tolls ] lorain g. bay. [ bell tolls ]

todd m. beemer. [ bell tolls ] allen anthony bevin. [ bell tolls ] mark bingham. [ bell tolls ] deora francis bodley. [ bell tolls ] sarah bradshaw. [ bell tolls ] marian r. britten. [ bell tolls ] thomas e. burnett, jr.

[ bell tolls ] william joseph cashman. [ bell tolls ] georgine rose corrigan. [ bell tolls ] patricia cushing. [ bell tolls ] jason m. doll. [ bell tolls ] joseph deluka. [ bell tolls ] patrick joseph driscoll. [ bell tolls ] edward porter felt. [ bell tolls ]

james c.folger. [ bell tolls ] colleen l. frazier. [ bell tolls ] andrew sonny garcia. [ bell tolls ] jeremy logan glick. [ bell tolls ] kristen white gould. [ bell tolls ] [ lauren katuzi grantolis. [ bell tolls ] and unborn child.

wanda anita green. [ bell tolls ] donald freeman green. [ bell tolls ] linda grund. [ bell tolls ] richard j. gudagano. [ bell tolls ] leroy homer. [ bell tolls ] toshia kugay. [ bell tolls ]

c.c. ross liles. [ bell tolls ] hilda marsene. [ bell tolls ] waleska martinez. [ bell tolls ] nicole carol miller. [ bell tolls ] lewis j. macky, ii. [ bell tolls ] donald arthur peterson. [ bell tolls ] gene hodeley peterson. [ bell tolls ] mark david rothenberg. [ bell tolls ]

christine ann snider. [ bell tolls ] john talagmani. [ bell it wills ] honor elizabeth wanio. [ bell tolls ] deborah jacobs welsch. [ bell tolls ]

♪ [ bag type ♪ [ bagpipes playing ] ♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ [ applause ]

>> vice president biden, president bush, president clinton, secretary salazar, speaker boehner, friends, families, and all those that chose to take time today to share in the bittersweet celebration of this memorial dedication. thank you for honoring the memory of the passengers and the crew of flight 93 with your presence. ten years ago, we first came to this hallowed ground. we were devastated. nearly broken. our lives had changed in an instant and at a time when we least expected the potential for such evil in the world. today, with the dedication of the flight 93 national memorial, we are assured that the enduring legacy of our loved ones and their collective actions on

september 11, 2001, will be preserved, providing comfort, inspiration, and education for future generations. it has been a long road to this very day. it seems to have passed in an instant. so many hurdles. so many steps to take. procedures to follow. only a project as worthy as this could sustain a level of dedication on the part of so many that would see us through to this dedication on this 10th anniversary. on this occasion, it's proper and fitting to acknowledge those first responders joining us today, that were called to action within fminutes of the crash of flight 93. as the course of our lives were so violently altered that day, they heard the call to duty and

were the first to honor our heroes through their actions. this level of action, dedication and compassion within the somerset county community and the surrounding areas on the morning of september 11, 2001 and during the period of recovery and investigation was not unique, but rather the norm. whether it is the ambassadors standing vigil here at the memorial, volunteers working with the national park service to preserve artifacts and oral histories or community members opening their homes and hearts to families in our time of grief. this community has embraced this memorial project with all the dignity, grace and honor, i've come to realize is pervasive here in southwest pennsylvania and across the commonwealth to harrisburg. senator casey, senator toomey, representative schuster, the

entire pennsylvania delegation, as well as long-time champions of the flight 93 national mobile, former governor rendell, former governor ridge, senator specter and the late congressman murtha, you have honored our government's commitment to be an active partner in the development of this project. with such upheaval in our world today, you've continued to fight the good fight to ensure this project has stayed on schedule and continued to be appropriately funded. to the families, this sacred ground holds a deep and special significance. this is the final resting place of the crew and passengers of flight 93 and we have worked hard to ensure that it is treated with the proper care and respect. we are grateful to secretary salazar and the national service for their leadership in this memorial project, as well as for their current and future stewardship of this land.

superintendent rhinebolt, and the entire team of rangers and ambassadors and volunteers, we trust that you will continue to be the fierce advocates for our loved ones moving forward that you have demonstrated to be thus far. for while we are dedicating a memorial on this day, our job is not done. we look forward to a timely completion of this memorial project, so that as future generations come here seeking answers, they will have the ability to experience the complete vision of the memorial design. the story of flight 93 is one that resonates with all that would hold near to their hearts the rule of law, the love of family, and the desire to control the destiny of one's life. over 70,000 people from across the globe have demonstrated their support for the flight 93 national memorial through

financial support. nearly 1.5 million individuals have come to this sacred ground in order to pay their respects to our 40 heroes. they have come asking questions, seeking perspective, as well as to tell their own stories and experiences of september 11, 2001. all that have made the pilgrimage to this site, all that have worked tirelessly to create this memorial, and all of those that refuse to forget the individuals and their collective actions, honor the 40 crew and passengers of united flight 93. we must choose to be inspired by the story of flight 93 and seize the opportunity to hold fast to the hard-fought lessons learned on this sacred ground just ten short years ago. as long as we continue to remember the actions of our loved ones, they remain alive in our hearts and in the hearts of

our nation. thank you. [ applause ] ♪ i will remember you will you remember me ♪

♪ ♪ i'm so tired i can't sleep it's funny how i feel so much i cannot say a word ♪ ♪ though we are screaming inside we can't be heard ♪ ♪ i will remember you will you remember me ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ i'm so afraid to love you so afraid to lose ♪ ♪ once there was darkness and now there's light ♪

♪ you gave me everything you had, you gave me life ♪ ♪ i will remember you will you remember me ♪ ♪ ♪ i will remember you will you remember me ♪

♪ [ applause ] >> thank you, thank you, sarah mcglocklin, that was beautiful, for joining us today and for that perfect piece. this memorial would not have been possible without the strong and unwavering support of individuals, governments, groups, corporations, and foundations from across the country that have made personal and financial commitments to see it through. we welcome representatives of several of those groups. the first is chris sullivan, chairman of the flight 93

capital campaign and vice chairman of the national park foundation. chris. [ applause ] >> thank you, john. and thank you for all that you've done for flight 93 national memorial. your leadership is remarkable. thank you very much, john. as a fund-raising partner of the national parks service, the national parks foundation is privileged to work with a dedicated group of partners. the corporations, businesses, foundations and other organizations, the law firm of porter wright who did the pro bono work on the land, who are committed to protect thing hallowed ground. yet nobody has given more than the relatives and the family members of the 40 men and women of flight 93. they feel the weight of the loss

and we admire you for your courage. your determination. your commitment. and your persistence in seeing this national memorial become a reality. we're very excited that today the first step of that is being completed. this is an important endeavor, to create a permanent place of recognition of the heroes, your loved ones, so that each generation knows that tin credible heroism, sacrifice and horror that took place here ten years ago. i would like to especially thank our honary co-chairman, general tommy franks and tom ridge, for your numerous trips and meetings with donors and your ongoing and positive enthusiasm and inspiration to see this effort through. i want you to stand up so everybody can say thank you. [ applause ]

some 75,000 individuals and organizations have made commitments to this national memorial. these donations, both large and small, inspire us to continue to move forward in order to fulfill the promise we made ten years ago to remember these brave souls on board flight 93. your names will forever be recognized in our honor roll, as well as in our hearts for your extraordinary generosity. thank you to your part in making and dedicating this national memorial today. over 1.5 million visitors from around the world have visited the memorial, and today marks the first time that we walk across the plaza and stand before this wall, and come faced with the quiet meadow surrounded by thousands of others who share

the memories of 9/11. visiting here stirs the memories and emotions that are still raw. we reflect, and we do, reflect on the incredible courage and conviction of the heroes of flight 93. as well as the hard break and sorrow of their loved ones. we're thankful that these ordinary citizens stood up and stopped another deadly and destructive attack on our nation. we would like to thank five organizations for underwriting today's events. bank of america, erie insurance, high mark and verizon. thank you. [ applause ] today's dedication marks an important milestone in the history of progress of the flight 93 national memorial, but is not the final step in the journey of healing and

remembrance. what we see today is only part of the memorial. behind you will be a visitor's center filled with learning resources and public programs. 40 memorial groves encircling the vast field of honor and a tower of voices whose tones will echo across this land. america has a long tradition of honoring its heros in national parks. from the calm waters of pearl harbor to the majestic mountains of mount rushmore to the legacy of martin luther king jr., we're pleased that the heroes of flight 93 will be so honored. we are confident we can realize the full vision of the national memorial. we ask for your continued support and ask you to encourage others to learn more about our effort and go to honor flight 93.org if you can get them to participate. this has been a remarkable journey and, again, we have work

to do. but thank you, families. you're an inspiration to all of us. we're going to get this done. with that, i would like to present secretary of interior ken salazar, who has been fantastic in these efforts. mr. secretary. [ applause ] >> thank you very much, and good afternoon to all of you and to vice president biden, to dr. biden, to president clinton, to president bush, to mrs. bush, to speaker boehner and senators casey and toomey and all the members of the congressional delegation, but especially to the families today of flight 93 who have worked so hard to make this day possible. we join together as friends ands families, as citizens to forge from our memories and enduring monument to love, courage and sacrifice.

in one morning, a turn of history and a rush of heroes forever changed this land and this nation and this world. the battle that began six miles overhead ended with a roar of engines and this area behind us in the stoney creek river. since that day, millions of americans have come to honor their heroes of flight 93. they have brought to this hallowed ground their pictures, their letters and their prayers. and the people of this land, themselves survivors and witnesses and first responders, welcome those who came. they helped us mourn. they helped us reflect. and they helped us build a memorial for all of america and all the world for all time to see right in this place. to the citizens of somerset county and to those who led that effort, including governor ridge

and governor rendell and general franks and so many others, we thank you for making this day possible. to the land owners of this place and somerset county, who gave of their property to this nation so we might honor those who gave their lives here, we thank you. and to the architect, paul murdoch, who kept true to the landscape and to this event, your design has moved us, our hearts from the beginning. to the families of flight 93, whom i have come to know well over the years, and to the flight the national park foundation and the relentless and undying efforts of neil mulholland, its president and all pennsylvania's elected officials, thank you for your leadership and your vision. to the tens of thousands of citizens who have donated to this cause, more than 75,000 so far, you honor us all.

and to the families themselves who have suffered the unspeakable tragedy, but who dedicated themselves so deeply to protecting this final resting place, their partnership in this process in this place will ensure that the legacy of your loved ones is never forgotten. i am honored and i am humbled to have worked with all of you to make this day happen. so we will never forget those heroes who gave their lives on this hallowed ground. today, this special place, these 2,200 acres here enter the care and trust of the department of interior and the national park service as a 389th unit of the national parks system. it joins the hallowed grounds of gettysburg and yorktown, selma and pearl harbor, a place where patriots gave their lives for

this nation. here, like so many lands and sites we protect, we are reminded of that which binds us as one people. we are reminded that we all share in our nation's triumphs, as well as its trials. we share dreams of peace and prosperity, and we are reminded that we stand up for one another, fight for each other and defend the rights and dignity endowed to all humankind. the her oism of the passengers and crews of flight 93 will endure forever. it will live in the hearts of visitors moved by the sights and sounds of this place, the field of honor. the groves of trees, the wind chimes that will one day be heard throughout this landscape. on behalf of the men and women of the national parks service and department of interior, we

pledge on behalf of president obama, on behalf of this nation's citizens, we pledge to guard this hallowed ground so that all who visit may learn what happened here. we will tell the story of flight 93 and its heroic 40 passengers. we will ensure that the 40 patriots who gave their lives are never forgotten. we will see to it that the american values so evident that day, determination, resilience and service continue to inspire us, guide us and give us hope for our future. now it is my honor to read a letter from president carter who was not able to come, but asked that i read this letter to all of you who are aismbled here. he says, "i join with all of you

in the dedication of the flight 93 memorial in desire to honor and remember the men and women who died here ten years ago tomorrow. at a time of great sadness, we nevertheless were inspired by the courage and sacrifice manifested by the passengers and crew of united flight 93. our nation was stricken by an unprecedented attack that brought death and injury to thousands of people and suffering to millions in the united states and around the world. i recognize the personal losses of the families and friends of those who perished in new york and washington, as well as pennsylvania. they receive my deepest condolences. all of us americans suffered and found it difficult to understand such evil acts. the proper response includes an enhanced defense against terrorism and a renewed dedication to the values that make the united states a great nation.

a commitment to truth, justice, peace, freedom, humility, human rights and generosity. the creation of this national memorial park will help us remember what we have lost and what we must do. i expect it to be an inspiration and a comfort to all of us. rosalyn and i send our prayers for consolation and hope. sincerely, jimmy carter." [ applause ] it is my honor to present to all of you here in somerset county in pennsylvania, the 43rd president of the united states george w. bush. [ applause ]

>> thank you very much. mr. secretary, thank you very much. mr. vice president, dr. biden, president clinton, mr. speaker, members of congress, my friends tommy franks and tom ridge, thank you for helping raise the money for this memorial. members of the national parks service and the national park foundation, all those who support this memorial, but most importantly the families of flight 93. laura and i are honored to join you in dedicating this memorial to the heroes of flight 93. when the sun rose in the pennsylvania sky ten years ago

tomorrow, it was a peaceful september morning. by the time it set nearly 3,000 people were gone. the most lives lost on american soil in a single day since the battle of antietam. with the distance of a decade, 9/11 can feel like a part of a different era. but for the families of the men and women stolen, some of whom join us today, that day will never feel like history. the memory of that morning is fresh and so is the pain. america shares your grief. we pray for your comfort and we honor your loved ones. september 11th, 2001, innocent men and women went to work at the world trade center. they reported for duty at the pentagon. they boarded american flights 11

and 77, united flights 93 and 175. they did nothing to provoke or deserve the deliberate act of murder that al qaeda carried out. one of the lessons of 9/11 is that evil is real and so is courage. when the planes struck the world trade center, firefighters and police officers charged up the stairs into the flames. as the towers neared collapse, they continued the rescue efforts. ultimately, more than 400 police officers and firefighters gave their lives. among them was the chief of the new york city fire department peter gansy. as a colleague put it, he would never ask anyone to do something he didn't do himself.

the pentagon service members and civilians pulled friends and strangers from burning rubble. one special forces soldier recalls reaching through a cloud of smoke in search of the wounded. as he entered one room he prayed to find someone alive. he discovered a severely burned woman and carried her to safety. they later met in the hospital where she explained she had been praying for rescue. she called him her guardian angel. then there's the extraordinary story we commemorate here. on united airlines flight 93, college students from california, iron worker from new jersey, veterans of the korean war and world war ii, citizens of germany and japan, a pilot who rearranged his schedule so that he could take his wife on a vacaon