Ridge, Schweiker return to Shanksville for tower dedication
On Sunday, he will stand with the families of the 40 passengers and crew members who perished that day to dedicate the latest feature in a permanent reminder of their courage and sacrifice -- Flight
Ridge was
"I remember that day so vividly," Ridge said in an interview Friday. "And then you fast-forward 17 years to this memorial and tower built in tribute to those 40 heroes and heroines.
"To see this magnificent tribute and remembrance of the heroism and sacrifice -- I am really looking forward to that moment.
"The design of this park is exceptionally powerful, and the crown jewel of it all is this tower of chimes in this beautiful valley, with the breeze to carry the sound across the hills. It's our version of the eternal flame."
Another former
Schweiker, who teaches courses in homeland security at
"Graduate students now have some limited understanding of the events of 9/11," Schweiker said. "For people of a certain age, there is no firsthand knowledge of that day."
'Voice of their loved ones'
Schweiker called the tower the "largest musical instrument in the world."
For the families of those who perished, he said the chimes will serve as "the voice of their loved ones."
Flight 93 National Memorial is a
Partner organizations include the
Ridge has served as honorary co-chairman for the project, working with retired Army Gen.
Architect
The NPS estimates that 300,000 people come to the park annually.
'Chimes softly ringing out'
Ridge will be the keynote speaker at Sunday's dedication ceremony. Schweiker will be among the speakers Tuesday at the
President
Schweiker recalled that passengers of Flight 93 were credited with charging the cockpit to confront the terrorists, an act that brought the plane down short of its likely intended target -- the
"Aside from their status as heroes, I hope to emphasize the purity of their efforts and their sacrifice," Schweiker said. "I think there are observers around the world and even here in America who don't grasp the the magnitude of the passengers' decision to take on the terrorists in the skies above
Ridge said while the chimes serve as a reminder to the world of the courage and sacrifice of the 9/11 victims, Sunday's dedication will be especially powerful for those who know the story best.
"Of course this remains an emotional experience for the families and friends who lost loved ones," he said. "But now, with those chimes softly ringing out 24 hours a day, seven days a week as a tribute to their fallen family members, I hope they feel some comfort."
Ridge added: "The music will be provided by these chimes. But the lyrics were written by the heroes and heroines of Flight 93."
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