The seats at the Flight 93 memorial Sunday morning were filled with folks from near and far.  Many did not know the brave heroes aboard Flight 93, but they said they needed to be there.

“The hugs, the cries, the tears, and the joy of being together to celebrate these people’s lives and pay respect to the family members is the biggest honor I’ve ever had in my life,” Robert Howell, who attended the service, said.

Folks came from across the country.

“We got on the bus and we took a 6 hour ride out here,” former United flight attendant Patricia Lynch said.

“I live in Birmingham Alabama,” Paul Gonthier told WTAJ.

Some, like Howell, have been coming for years.  He is the founder of the 9/11 Run, which starts in Detroit.

“The friendships and relationship that we’ve built over the last 15 years with these people has been incredible and it’s just changed my life and everyone that comes here with me.”

He and others said at the ceremony that September 11th, one of the darkest days in our country’s history, can never be forgotten.

“September 11th just changed everything,” Gonthier said.

Whether you personally knew the  crew members and passengers on board, like Lynch, “Then when I got home it was Flight 93 and I went oh my gosh these are my people.”

Or were inspired by their heroic actions, like Gonthier, “After that happened I was due to retire at 20 years in the service at that point and I stayed 10 more after that to fight the fight.”

Folks said this is the time to honor and thank these people.