After being dedicated as a National Memorial in 2002, the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville has undergone three phases of transformation.
The Wall of Names began as a makeshift memorial. A 40-foot chain link fence represented the 40 passengers and crew members who died, and was scattered with gifts and tributes.
“I’ve got a scrunchie or I’ve got a flag, you know some people would be that spontaneous reaction, others would be planned it you know they were coming here for a reason,” said Keith Newlin, Former Deputy Superintendent of Western PA National Parks, 2016. “They brought a tribute for a reason and there were tributes there that were well planned.”
In 2002, Congress decided to turn that makeshift memorial into a permanent monument. After many years of planning and building, the Wall of Names was dedicated on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Now it stands in the park as 40 white marble panels, honoring the passengers and crew. And it’s this first phase that makes the park what it is today.
“President Bush established this a National Park unit in 2002, and here we are in 2018, really coming to closure on the major design elements,” said Stephen Clark, Superintendent, Western PA National Parks. “It’s something that so many of us have been looking forward to.”
The Wall of Names was the first phase, but not the last to honor those on board Flight 93.