Flight 93 National Memorial Dedication Ceremony

MoonHowler

It was only fitting that President Bush honor those who lost their lives  on 9/11/01 fighting the terrorists on Flight 93.   his speech was moving and he reflected upon another small town in Pennsylvania that had many heroes–Gettysburg.

Following his dedication, President Clinton spoke.  He spoke of the Alamo and how the people knew they were going to die, but stayed the course.  Both speeches were extremely moving.  Bill Clinton said it was a disgrace that there was still 10 million more dollars to raise and he announced that he and Speaker Boehner had formed a bipartisan partnership to raise the rest of the cash for the memorial.  He received a standing ovation. 

CLINTON: So, since I am no longer in office, I can do unpopular things.

CLINTON: I told the secretary of the interior, the head of your development program, that I was aghast to find out that we still need to raise $10 million to finish this place. And Speaker Boehner and I have already volunteered to do a bipartisan event in Washington.

Let’s get this show on the road. Let’s roll. Thank you and God bless you.

Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/09/10/bill-clintons-flight-93-memorial-dedication-speech#ixzz1XcOgmk5H

 

Vice President Joe Biden was in attendance also and addressed the crowd.  He was very gracious to both former presidents and spoke of his own personal losses generally and to reassure. 

I am more convinced than ever that this National Memorial to the bravery of the passengers on Flight 93 is the right and proper acknowledgement of people who gave all so that others could live.  They fought back.

 

Flight 93 Memorial not fully funded

MoonHowler

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.