My trip to the Flight 93 Memorial - PICTURES

[Bunny]

This is a very moving place. It's so isolated, just a reclaimed strip mine in the middle of Nowhere, PA. There are many personal items left there, by families of the victims, and people from all over the world. They're working on developing a permanent memorial, to be operated by the U.S. Park Service. It's worth a visit, if you are in the general area.

Wide shot of the wall, where many tribute items are placed:


A memorial plaque from Guatemala:


Some of the angels, there is one for each person on the flight:


Another plaque:


From the people of Colorado:


More from Guatemala:


A cross:


A shot from behind the wall. That's my youngest girl on the right:


More angels:

[blackcat77]

1. This stuff of everybody leaving something behind

...at memorials has gone too far. This doesn't look dignified, it just looks messy, more like a garage sale than a memorial. Like people writing messages -- more like grafitti -- on caskets at a funeral.

[Bunny]

2. There is a certain amount of tackiness, for sure.

I saw such meaningful things as a Spongebob Squarepants doll, a Powerpuff Girls doll, and numerous Matchbox cars all reverantly left there. It is amazing, isn't it?

The Park Ranger on duty told us that all items are periodically removed, cataloged, then stored until a permanent memorial is built, then many will be re-displayed.

What makes much of this so moving is that there are things from probably every state, and many countries, left there. Although the actual items may be tacky, the intent is honorable and decent, plush cartoon characters notwithstanding.

[ornotna]

3. Nice pictures, thanks

It is a bit messy though. What's with all the hats? :shrug:

And someone left a brick....how nice. :crazy:

[Bunny]

4. Nearly all the hats have some identification on them, e.g.,

"_____________ Volunteer Fire Company, Ottumwa, Iowa" or something like that. The hats are mainly from Fire, Police,and Sheriff's Departments all over the country.

It is quite messy, and the brick IS very touching, isn't it? ;)