Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on September 11, 2021.
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Sometimes as travel writers there are just a few spots we visit that are impossible to put into words. Destinations so sobering about the low points in human history that I simply cannot do justice in any one article.
I've found myself in this particular spot in many places around the world- be it Dachau in Germany, the ground zero spots of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, and the 9/11 Memorial in New York City to name a few.
In these particular cases I've tried time and time again to write about them, but end up being at a loss for words. Rather than ignoring the topic altogether, I ultimately end up only sharing photos as a means to try and provide a visual understanding of the experience.
So it should be no surprise that my visit to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, is no different. Today, I wanted to share a few photos from the memorial to encourage everyone to visit.
Visiting the Flight 93 National Memorial
For most everyone, the events of 9/11 are as fresh in our memories as it was the day it happened. The events of that morning shook the world to its very core, and when passengers on the hijacked Flight 93 found out about what was going on they decided to act in what is considered one of the ultimate feats of bravery that saved countless lives at the cost of their own.
Due to the heroic actions of the passengers of Flight 93, the plane did not reach its intended target. However, in the course of the takeover the plane crashed in rural Somerset County, PA- just about an hour and a half south east of Pittsburgh.
Today the site is maintained by the National Park Service and includes a visitor center and memorial to honor those who lost their lives on that fateful day- both on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.
A Must Visit for All
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, words escape me when it comes to writing about memorials on events such as these. Instead, I wanted to share a selection of photos and offer one word of advice: plan a visit.
Knowing the past, honoring the victims, and remaining vigilant are the best ways to ensure history does not repeat itself. As was the case on 9/11, it is something we certainly hope never occurs again.
The Flight 93 Memorial is located at 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown, PA 15563, about 90 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh. It can be reached from the Somerset exit of the PA Turnpike if traveling from Pittsburgh.
I haven’t been to this memorial yet but have heard it being described as a testament to common american people who, despite being unknown to each teamed together and achieved something extraordinary in only 30 minutes.