When we talk about the terrorist-led air assaults of Sept. 11, 2001, most of the focus is on New York and the nation’s capital.
And for obvious reasons. More than 2,700 lives were snuffed out when terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center, and another 184 died when a third plane struck the Pentagon (125 in the building and 59 on the plane, not counting the five terrorists).
Often lost in the narrative, however, is the fourth plane, which went down near Shanksville, Pa., and the place it holds in that historical event.
We know that 40 passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 were killed when their plane crashed into a field near the strip mine, and that the passengers and crew perished after deciding to take on the terrorists, preventing them from reaching their intended target, assumed to be either the Capitol building or the White House.
Thanks in large measure to Akron’s Sharon Deitrick, whose vision it was to build a national memorial in Shanksville to the heroes of Flight 93, the important message of what happened in the air that day is being shared. Although she shies away from public acclaim, you should know that because of her, that message is spreading to a far greater audience.
And the beauty of it is that the lesson is now being taught by children — college-age, high school and middle school, and even some in elementary school.
They are raising awareness not only among their peer groups, but among their teachers and parents as well.
I had the good fortune to meet up with a few of these ambassadors last week during a retreat called LEADR (Leadership Education And Development Retreat) sponsored by the HALO (Hope Always Lives On!) Foundation.
The HALO Foundation exists to raise awareness about Flight 93 and to raise funds to build the memorial.
Deitrick, president of Deitrick & Associates Interiors in Akron, has been recognized as the No. 1 cheerleader for the memorial. She receives no salary for her efforts.
During the retreat, she took a backseat to these young scholars, all of whom had come wanting to learn more about Flight 93 so they can share the lessons with others.
Drew Watkins, a Northwest High School graduate who will attend Arizona State University in the fall, was front and center, along with Kaitlin Hemmer, a University of Akron senior, and others who helped guide the discussion.
Clearly one of the most dynamic sessions, in addition to the screening of the movie Flight 93, were the Skype discussions with three families who lost loved ones on that flight: David Beamer, whose son Todd has been quoted as saying “Let’s roll” when the passengers confronted the hijackers; Sandy Felt, who lost her husband, Edward; and Deborah Borzin, mother of 20-year-old Deora Bodley, the flight’s youngest passenger.
David Beamer, who is coming to Akron on Sept. 8 courtesy of the HALO Foundation, like many of the other families is working to make sure the memorial becomes a reality.
Beamer responded to a question from 17-year-old Patience D’Andrea from Upper Arlington about how he managed to stay strong after the death of his son, who left a wife and three little children. (His wife was pregnant at the time).
David Beamer said that like his son that day, he leans on his faith. He encouraged these students and all Americans to adopt his son’s famous last words as our collective call to action.
Asked by 17-year-old Erica Ghazoul of Norwalk what lessons he wants posterity to take away from Flight 93, Beamer said America should never forget that there is a radical ideology that hates America and its freedoms.
Borzin said her daughter, a college student, was majoring in child psychology and French, loved traveling, and did a lot of volunteering, especially with the Special Olympics.
In addition to the physical memorial, Borzin said, the greatest monument to her daughter is that “a lot of her classmates changed their majors to psychology and theology” as a way to do something to help make the world a better place.
Borzin implored the students to look for ways to make a difference in their communities and their homes.
Felt had been laser-focused on the World Trade Center the morning of Sept. 11 because her sister worked there; she never dreamed her husband was the one in harm’s way.
Felt also urged the assembly to learn early the importance of standing up for what is right.
Ironically, just hours before the telephone hookup, Felt said she received a call from the FBI, telling her it may finally have found her husband’s wedding ring.
That, she said, has always been her prayer. “I’ll know in a couple of days,” she said.
These leaders, as well as students from Akron’s STEM School, St. Sebastian and others, have been busy raising money for the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Deitrick and those involved in LEADR would like all of us to find it in our hearts to give 93 cents, so the memorial can be finished.
The first phase will open in time for the 10th anniversary. Nearly $20 million more is needed for its completion.
The HALO Foundation has been active, not just raising money, but also with an array of activities, including creating a student-produced colorful graphic — The 40 of 93: Flight of Bravery.
A book on the subject, by children and for children, is expected to be ready in time for the anniversary as well.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to contribute to the Flight 93 National Memorial Fund, and the huge role Akron is playing in getting it done, please call 330-376-9110.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.