Special Events

  • NEW! FRIENDS CONNECTIONS

    TBD

  • Friends Annual Membership Meeting

    TBD

  • PINTS FOR PARKS

    TBD

  • DAY OF CARING

    2025

  • National Day of Learning

    SEPT 11, 2025

  • SEPTEMBER 11 OBSERVANCE

    SEPT 11, 2025

  • HEROES' WALK

    TBD

  • Volunteer in-Action

NEW! FRIENDS CONNECTIONS

FRIENDS REBRANDING THE ANNUAL SPEAKER SERIES 

Welcome to Friends Connections, a new speaker forum, where members and friends can stay informed on the various projects and programs designed to support Flight 93 National Memorial.

Previous Connections

Friends Hosted their Inaugural Virtual Speaker Forum | On October 12 at 7:00 PM ET, Friends welcomed Flight 93 Family Member and author Jack Grandcolas as a guest speaker. Jack shared insights on love, loss, healing, PTSD/PTSI, and hope during the event, also delving into his latest book, "Like a River to the Sea," dedicated to his late wife Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas and their unborn child. 

WATCH NOW!

Recognizing Our Veterans: A Special Thank You from the Friends Executive Director | On November 9, 2023, the Friends Executive Director took the time to express her gratitude to all veterans. During the online virtual speaker forum, Gibson spoke with a panel of post 9/11 veterans. The discussion focused on their experiences on 9/11 and how they use the Flight 93 story to connect with the next generation. The esteemed panelists for this special Veteran's Day forum were representatives from the Sinise Foundation and the 9:57 Project. Both organizations have collaborated with Friends on various educational initiatives.

WATCH NOW!


Friends Annual Membership Meeting 

2025 | TBD

2024 | The meeting was conducted virtually on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

WATCH NOW

Thanks to all who joined Friends at Forbes Trail Brewing for Pints for Parks. The weather was perfect, and the entertainment and food were amazing.

We appreciate Forbes Trail for hosting us and brewing their "Giving Back Pale Ale" and donating the proceeds to Friends. We also want to thank Hollern Koontz Insurance and Scott Hollern for his partnership in this event and for helping with the merchandising sales on Saturday. Thank you to Ella Wheeler Music for promoting our event in advance and for donating her entertainment fee to Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. We were incredibly honored to have you participate in our event, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

All proceeds from the sales of this special brew, Pints for Parks merchandise, and donations went towards supporting the Resiliency Project, specifically the 40 Memorial Groves. These groves consist of 40 groves of 40 trees each, serving as a living tribute to the passengers and crew members of Flight 93.

Your help is essential in preserving the Memorial Groves and their cultural significance, which have been affected over time by severe winter conditions, strong winds, challenging soil, and wildlife. To learn more about the Resiliency Project, visit www.flight93friends.org/resiliencyproject.


2025 Friends Day of Caring | TBD

Businesses and organizations: We invite you to stay engaged for our upcoming annual Friends Day of Caring at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Spring 2025.

2024 

On Friday, April 26, 2024, Friends and the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial celebrated Earth Day, National Volunteer and National Park Month. The celebration concluded with Friends' inaugural 'Day of Caring' at the memorial. More than 100 volunteers participated in the event planting trees and installing fences to protect the newly planted seedlings from wildlife.

Local and Regional individuals and organizations sponsored teams to help raise funds to support this environmental initiative. We extend our gratitude to our 2024 Day of Caring Sponsors. Thank you to all who took part and sponsored our Day of Caring. All funds from this event were allocated to our Environmental fund.

2024

Sponsors

Allegheny County Airport Authority, Brenda Torrey Photography, Concurrent Technologies Corportation, Emma Munson Foundation, Fred & Sandy Lukachinsky, Hollern Insurance, Leonardo DRS, Negley's Water, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Somerset Trust Company, The Salvation Army of Western PA Emergency Disaster Service

National Day of Learning 

To support educators in addressing the challenges of teaching about 9/11 and to inspire the next generation with the Flight 93 Story, Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is thrilled to announce our renewed collaboration with the National Park Service for a virtual National Day of Learning called "Teach to Remember" on Wednesday, September 11, 2025. 

Our programming is designed for grades 6-12 worldwide and includes a combination of pre-recorded lesson plans, live streaming of the Memorial Service, a special Moment of Remembrance, and interactive sessions with park rangers. 

  • Virtual Event tailored for Grades 6-12 
  • Engage in a Guided Tour of the Memorial
  • Explore the Flight 93 Story
  • Participate in a Live Memorial Service at 9:45 AM EDT
  • Join Live Stream Q&A Sessions
  • Sessions offered in Eastern and Pacific Time zones
  • Learning Modules for 2025


This year, Friends and the National Park Service hosted over 22,000 students and 300 schools.

If you have already registered for this year's event, you are able to access the lobby to review the recordings and educational materials. Lobby will remain opened until December 31, 2024. If you did not get the chance to register, you will not be able to acess the materials via Zoom Events. However, you can access additional materials at Teach to Remember - Flight 93 National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). 




 JOIN LOBBY


2024

SPONSORS

AMERISERV

FEDEX EXPRESS CORPORATION 

GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

HOLLERN INSURANCE

JIMINI ENTERPRISE

RICHARD KING MELLON FOUNDATION

ROBERT & DEBORAH MCCULLOCH


2023

SPONSORS

AMERISERV

FIRSTENERGY FOUNDATION

FRANK QUATTRONE & DENISE FODERARO

FRED & SANDRA LUKACHINSKY

HOLLERN INSURANCE

PATRIOT PARK FOUNDATION

THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

 

2023

PRESS RELEASE

 

2023

PARTNERSHIP

 

September 11 Observance 

The 23rd Annual September 11 Observance began at 9:45 AM on Wednesday, September 11 at the Memorial Plaza.It was free and opened to the public.

For more information, please visit September 11 Observance General Information - Flight 93 National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

To watch the recording of the ceremony, visit Flight 93 National Memorial - 23rd Observance of September 11 (youtube.com).

Stay connected for the Twenty-fourth September 11 Observance!

2024 HEROES' WALK

Thank you to the over 100 participants for joining Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial for the 2024 Heroes' Walk at Flight 93 National Memorial on September 14, 2024. This year walk proceeds will support rehabilitating the 40 Memorial Groves at Flight 93. Click here to learn more about the Resiliency Project.

2024

SPONSORS

1st Summit Bank, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, First Flight Foundation, Global/SFC Valve Corporation, Hollern Insurance, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services of Western Pennsylvania, Terry Butler

Recap of Last Year's Annual Walk

Introducing the Newly Enhanced Western Overlook at Flight 93 National Memorial | Last year's participants were given the exclusive opportunity to witness the upgraded Western Overlook as a "First View." Following the walk, a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Friends to honor the completion of the project.

Thanks to the hard work of families, donors, sponsors, and the Flight 93 National Memorial maintenance team, this project was made possible. The Army National Guard from the 333 Battalion in Reading, PA also played a vital role by offering their engineering and construction services. The various fundraising efforts throughout the year of 2022 contributed tremendously to the project's success. We are incredibly grateful for everyone's dedication and support.

Exploring the Western Overlook: A Unique Interpretive Program | In September 2001, the Western Overlook played a vital role as a point of first contact between families and the crash site. It also served as a site for first responders to aid family members and for the investigation of Flight 93. Today, park rangers have developed a new interpretive program called "13 Days in September" which consists of a walking tour designed to explore the historical significance of this site.

Representatives from Families, National Park Service and Friends cut the ribbon and spoke during the dedication, while walk participants were the "First View" of the enhanced space. Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps volunteers provided flowers to walkers to leave behind in honor and memory of the 40 passenger and crew members.

2023

SPONSORS

Concurrent Technologies Corporation, First Flight Foundation, Global/SFC Valve Corporation, Hollern Insurance, Terri Lesieutre, Terry Butler, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services

VOLUNTEER-IN-ACTION

Friends have teamed up with the National Park Service to provide volunteer support for a variety of annual programs and events held at Flight 93 National Memorial. Join us and learn more about these events, which range from Friends-only (*indicated by asterisks) to open to the public. Get involved and become a part of our community.

FRIENDS DAY OF CARING | APR 26, 2024

Reforestation on a Reclaimed Strip Mine: A Collaborative Partnership | This year, Friends and the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial celebrated Earth Day, National Volunteer and National Park Month on Friday, April 26. The celebration concluded with Friends' inaugural 'Day of Caring' at the memorial. Over 100 volunteers participated in the event planting trees and installing fences to protect the newly planted seedlings from wildlife.

Local and regional individuals and organizations sponsored teams to help raise funds to support this environmental initiative. Stay tuned for future Day of Caring projects.

*LUMINARIA - Lanterns Washing | 2026 

Annual Luminaria to Honor the Passengers and Crew of Flight 93 | On September 10, an event to honor the passengers and crew of Flight 93 will take place, where forty luminaria candle lanterns will be lit and placed below the names of those who were lost on September 11, 2001. Family members, National Park Service staff, distinguished guests, and friends will attend and pay their respects. This annual event occurs every five years, with the next one being held in 2021 during the Twentieth Observance. All are welcome to attend this solemn and peaceful occasion.

SEPTEMBER 11 OBSERVANCE | SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 

Annual September 11th Commemorative Service: Honor and Remembrance | Every year on September 11th, the community gathers for an open-air commemorative service to pay tribute to the passengers and crew members of Flight 93. At 10:03 a.m., the time of the plane's crash on September 11, 2001, there is a moment of silence followed by the reading of the names of those lost. The Bells of Remembrance are rung, and brief addresses are made. The event is open to the public and friends provide support to the National Park Service by assisting with registration, seating guests, and hosting a private family reception before and after the ceremony.

Heroes' Walk | SEPT 14, 2024

Join the Public Walk to Support Flight 93 National Memorial | On September 11, 2001, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 prevented an attack on our nation's capital, and the Flight 93 National Memorial was created in their honor. To promote awareness of this site, a public walk is being held. Take a 2.28-mile walk down the Allée, Wetlands Bridge, and Western Overlook Trail to explore the memorial's trail network and learn more about this 21st-century historic event. This walk allows you to connect with the new National Park and enjoy the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands. All proceeds from the walk will directly aid in the completion of the original memorial design and environmental projects at Flight 93 National Memorial.

*ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING | FEB 3, 2024

Virtual Membership Meetings by Friends | Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial holds virtual membership meetings to showcase new board members, upcoming special events, and provide updates on annual programs, projects and accomplishments. This meeting is a chance to review the Annual Report, reflect on the past year, and prepare as we approach the 23rd Observance of September 11, 2001 in 2024.

 View 2023 Friends Annual Membership Meeting now.