Photo
A1 |
This granite memorial stone was donated by a man from
Guatemala. The inscription reads,
"Let's Roll . . . In memory of . . .
Those gallant passengers and flight crew members of United Airlines
Flight 93 that on September 11 TH, 2001, defeated the coward terrorist
hijackers and their intended purpose. We honor you. We admire you. We
salute you. We shall never forget . . . Blessed are the peacemakers . . .
Let freedom ring . . .
Herbert Erdmenger
La Rioja, Villa Canales
Guatemala, Guatemala"
|
Photo
A2 |
The same person who donated the memorial in Photo A1 also
gave this one. This inscription (including the misspelled words)
says:
"Let's Roll . . .
In Memoriam of those gallant passangers [sic] and flight crew members of
United Airlines Flight 93 that on September 11th 2001, defeated the coward
terrorist hijackers and their intended purpose.
Blessed are the peacemakers . . . for their heroism has allowed freedom
to go on ringing.
We honor you . . . . We admire you . . . We salute you. . . and we
shall never forget you.
May this land remain forever . . . America the Beautiful
Herbert Erdmenger
La Rioja, Villa Canales
Guatemala, Guatemala"
|
Photo
B |
These slate "angels" mark the boundary between
the temporary memorial site and the field in which Flight 93
crashed. There is an angel for each of the 40 passengers and crew,
and they are placed in alphabetical order. The medal on Jeremy
Glick's angel is from a skiing competition. |
Photo
C |
At the top of this poster board under Plexiglas, donated by
the youth of a Church of God congregation, is John 15:13:
"Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his
friends."
On the cross in front of the poster board sign are numerous rosaries
left by visitors. |
Photo
D |
The flags and flowers at the base of this memorial, which
includes names of the passengers and crew, are typical of the items left
by visitors. |
Photo
E |
This memorial stone, from "Grateful Colorado
Citizens" bears this inscription:
"To the First Citizen Heroes of the 21st century
The passengers and crew of Flight 93
'Let's Roll'
09/11/01"
|
Photo
F |
This memorial was given by a couple from Greenberg,
PA. |
Photo
G |
As Robert Bellah stated, civil religion is a people's
attempt to interpret history "in light of transcendent
reality." The message in large writing, "God is still in
CONTROL" could be interpreted as one person's attempt to do so. |
Photo
H |
Invoking God's blessing on the passengers and crew is one
of the most common messages left by visitors. |
Photo I |
Although the quality of this photo is poor, it was the best
I had that shows the chain link fence and painted plywood message
boards. Note the helmets and coat of firefighters on the right side
of the photo. |
Photo
J |
Two of the Volunteer Ambassadors told me the story of a
young man in one of the armed services who visited shortly before he was
shipped overseas. The young man left his boots at the memorial.
Based on my interviews with the Volunteer Ambassadors, it seems that
military personnel and their families have very strong connections to the
passengers and crew of Flight 93. |
Photo
K |
I find this to be one of the most disturbing examples of
the intermingling of the Christian faith with American Civil Religion. |
