Join Together On Capitol Hill In Effort To Close Funding Gap With Personal Gifts

On the eve of the 12th year marking the tragic events of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Flight Attendant Union Coalition, representing nearly 100,000 Flight Attendants at carriers nationwide, joined forces on Capitol Hill to request that members of Congress make voluntary personal contributions to close a $1.5 million funding gap for the Flight 93 National Memorial. Flight Attendants distributed a letter to every member of the United States Congress asking that they set an example by making a personal contribution towards funding the memorial's Tower of Voices and educational programs.

In 2002, Congress authorized the creation of a national memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as part of the National Park System, to honor the crewmembers and passengers of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, gave their lives to prevent an attack on the United States Capitol. This national memorial, marking the final resting place of the 40 heroes of Flight 93, is a permanent tribute to those aboard whose incredible acts of bravery saved countless lives at the cost of their own. It is the only national park commemorating the events of September 11, 2001.

The Flight 93 National Memorial officially opened to the public on September 10, 2011 but still needs to meet its ultimate fundraising goal in order to be completed.

"Twelve years ago, 25 Flight Attendants took action as first responders in a war we didn't know we were fighting. These heroes were among the first to relay the intelligence that alerted our country and our flying partners on Flight 93, who in turn sacrificed their own lives to save countless others on the ground. Since that fateful day, our country's history has been changed forever. We promise to never forget the events of that day and to ensure they never happen again. As our work continues and evolves, the role of first responder has been added to our responsibilities in aviation's last line of defense. Our heroes will forever unite us. We will never forget," repeated the Coalition.

(Artist's rendering of Flight 93 Memorial)

FMI: www.afanet.org