From The Daily Beast,:
It’s the only one of the three major 9/11 memorials that’s still not fully funded, and many are wondering why. The final resting place of the 40 people on United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa., will have a low marble wall carved with the names of the passengers and crew. The memorial will be officially dedicated Saturday in time for the 10th anniversary of the terror attacks, and be open to the public the next day. But the funding is still $10 million short of the $62 million needed, and Congress has allocated only about $14 million. The site still looks like it did 10 years ago on the morning of Sept. 11—a rolling meadow of grass and wildflowers.
$10 million short? Holy cow. Those people on that plane saved Congress’s bacon that day. The object was the Capitol. Had those brave souls not brought that plane down, every member of Congress present that day, not just at the Capitol but also in the surrounding area, could have very well become vaporized. It is time to find the funds. Perhaps they could give up some of their salary to help with funding. Perhaps they could put up pay pal on all congressional sites. This situation is inexcusable. I feel confident the American people would be more than willing to donate towards a memorial at Shanksville, Pennsylvania to honor the dead.
So we can’t build a nice memorial for $52 million? Maybe…just maybe……everything that happens doesn’t need a memorial. This is similar to the “1%” argument. Every time someone wants to make a cut, we hear “it’s only 1%” of the budget. You know….if you add up, like 34 of these “1%” items (and I’ve heard hundreds of these arguments (which shows there’s a problem already), you’ve got major savings?
I think those folks on that plane that went down in Shanksville need a memorial. Do we just look up and say ‘thanks guys?’ Bringing down that plane was an incredible act of bravery that might have saved thousands of lives, in particular, those of the Congress. I realize that members of Congress have changed in 10 years so perhaps the appreciation isn’t there. Congress could stick up paypal buttons in strategic spots and let Americans contribute. Americans really have gotten off on the cheap over much of this. Congress could contribute some salary. Some of them would be fused to the sidewalk right now if that plane had gone down.
The WWII memorial costs in excess of $182 Million dollars and took over 50 years to happen. Many WWII vets didn’t live to see its complettion. That is shameful. The WWI memorial in Washington, DC is still in decline and disrepair. Shouldn’t we try to do it right this time?
The Pentagon Memorial Center is there and quiet. Done. There was a good article yesterday, WaPost, I think, about the Pentagon recognition on the 19th anniversary being undershadowed by NYC. It always will be because the Pentagon controls the message.
Slowpoke – have you been to the site or just commenting in general.
I have not been to Shanksville, if that’s what you’re asking. Those folks who went down in Shanksville were the most visitors Shanksville had in years. And we just disagree that they need a memorial. I see a memorial for 9/11, but not one in every little place that was affected. New York, you bet. Pentagon? Well, not necessary, but OK. Shanksville, PA? Well, if we had so much surplus we couldn’t afford to store it all, then fine.
@pokie, I might agree with you on the premise of do we need a memorial in the first place. But once it was decided and started, then just finish it up. Those folks that went down are sure the top tier of heroes, or at least some of them are.
I do understand what you are saying about the remoteness of Shanksville. I stand by my premise that many in Congress owe their very lives to some of those on that flight.
Sadly, in this world, prevention is taken for granted and so is need unless either impacts us directly – then by golly it’s important.
I would have started with Shankville on the memorial list – NYC and the Pentagon are very visible.
Suggest everyone go there if you find yourself passing Somerset PA on Rte 76 or Rte 30
In 2002-2003, the AF painted “Let’s roll” on its aircraft in honor of Todd Beamer and the other passengers of Flight 93. I thought that the aircraft art was a fitting tribute that recognized the warrior ethos and self-sacrifice of these fine Americans.
I did not know that, Kelly. That is a very fitting tribute. That more or less makes a mobile memorial that withstands the test of time.
Thanks for sharing that bit of information. Maybe I was living under a rock when that was announced.
Is it painted on all aircraft owned by the Airforce?
Here is an article about it. http://www.starlink-irc.org/special/letsroll/02096.html
Not sure if the nose art is still on some aircraft. But it was part of the nose art for the Thunderbirds for a year.
Was it removed after a year?
Flight 93 memorial scandal. http://michellemalkin.com/2005/09/10/flight-93-memorial-seeing-is-believing/
Perhaps a different design should be presented.
Michelle Malkin is a harpy who thrives by slinging red meat. Is there anything she does not try to foul?