Flight 93 Memorial among stops on Highway to Heroes trail
The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville is among the six sites along the state’s Highway of Heroes trail, a 350-mile stretch that highlights places that have shaped the nation.
The memorial recognizes the courage of the 40 passengers and crew who fought back against terrorists who had hijacked their commercial airliner – Flight 93 – on Sept. 11, 2001. The plane was crashed into an empty field in Shanksville in Somerset County.
Three other planes were hijacked that day: two were flown into the upper floors of the north and south towers of the World Trade Center, the third was flown into the Pentagon. It is believed Flight 93 was headed toward the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House.
The Highway to Heroes was established to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary.
“The Flight 93 passengers and crew members are examples of how America’s citizens continue to respond in times of adversity since 1776,” said Stephen M. Clark, superintendent of Flight 93 National Memorial.
From east to west, the 350-mile trial includes Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia, Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, Flight 93 National Memorial, and Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh.
The sites are all along the Lincoln Highway, which is present day Route 30. The coast-to-coast highway, named for Abraham Lincoln, was constructed in the early 1900s.
“For the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, this initiative reinforces our mission to tell these stories in a way that is accessible, engaging and deeply relevant. It will strengthen partnerships across the commonwealth, increase visitation to our communities and ensure that these important stories are shared with a broader and more diverse audience,” said Kimberly Cady, executive director of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.
Highway to Heroes is a partnership among national and state historic parks, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and Pennsylvania destination marketing organizations.
Those who check in at all six sites by March 26, 2027, receive a Highway of Heroes commemorative coin set and display case. To sign up, visit pahighway.com.