Friends of Flight 93 announces heroism award to mark 20th anniversary of 9/11
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To promote the legacy of the crew and passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Somerset County fighting terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, the national memorial support organization Monday announced a heroism award to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Donna Gibson, president of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, said the award was inspired by the approaching anniversary and in memory of the heroism displayed by the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 in the skies over Shanksville.
The Flight 93 Heroes Award will be presented each year to individuals across the country who have demonstrated remarkable acts of selfless courage in their community. Nominations are being accepted by visiting www.Flight93Friends.org. Eligibility criteria and nominating rules also are available.
“Twenty years later, it still takes my breath away when I consider the heroic actions aboard Flight 93,” Gibson said. “These were extraordinary people. After finding out about the other terror attacks that day, through 37 phone calls they made on the plane, passengers and crew members were determined to fight back.”
Gibson said the memorial’s support organization believes it is more important than ever that the remarkable story is shared with a new generation, adding that authorities believe the hijackers planned to crash the plane into the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
“More than 75 million Americans have been born since the 9/11 attacks and have no memory of that day,” said Jody Greene, whose father, Donald Greene, 52, of Greenwich, Conn., was a passenger on Flight 93.
Greene released a video on YouTube explaining the heroism award.
“We feel a deep responsibility to ensure that the story of Flight 93, now part of our country’s history, is never forgotten and remains a source of inspiration for generations to come. The national attention surrounding the 20th commemoration offers a unique teachable moment to share the heroic actions of those lost on Flight 93 with today’s younger generation,” she said.
The Flight 93 Heroes Award is one part of a larger 20th Commemoration Campaign called Remember the Heroes of Flight 93. Details of other events and activities will be shared in the coming months.
Established in 2009, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is the official nonprofit partner of Flight 93 National Memorial.
The organization focuses on awareness, education, volunteer support, preservation and stewardship to ensure that Flight 93 National Memorial will remain accessible, relevant and inspirational to present and future generations.