There is a field in southwestern Pennsylvania, near Shanksville, where forty individuals — 37 American citizens and three visiting citizens from other countries — gave their lives to protect our country on Sept. 11, 2001. They were not members of the US Military. They were not trained in combat techniques. They were ordinary citizens who said goodbye to their families that morning knowing they would be back home in a matter of days or weeks, not having one single inkling that they would be called to an act of heroism that day. They were the passengers and crew of United Flight 93. The humble memorial that has sprung up in that field to honor them is indescribably heartfelt and immeasurably powerful. (read full post)
