LHVB at Flight 93 Plant A Tree

Staff members of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau got their hands dirty Friday as they helped to plant seedlings during a volunteer event, Plant a Tree at Flight 93, which took place May 13-14, 2016.

Led by the National Park Service, the Friends of Flight 93, and the National Park Foundation, the reforestation effort brought together nearly 500 volunteers to plant 15,000 tree seedlings over 23 acres of land surrounding the Flight 93 National Memorial. By planting seedling varieties such as Eastern hemlock, American chestnut, sugar maple, dogwood, black walnut and red maple, reforestation will help restore wildlife habitats in an area that was once a surface coal mine.

“We must never forget the heroic efforts of the passengers and crew of Flight 93,” said Reneé Seifert, President and CEO. “These brave men and women demonstrated unity, courage and defiance in the face of adversity. Our team is honored to have participated in today’s Plant a Tree at Flight 93 event. It was an emotional day for us as we remembered the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Today, we each leave the memorial humbled and with a reaffirmed sense of pride.”

“Participating in today’s event was incredibly rewarding and humbling, both personally and professionally,” said Anna Weltz, Director of Public Relations. “As we worked together to help create this living memorial, we bonded as a team and with our fellow participants. In a matter of years, the small seedlings we have planted today will be towering beautiful reminders of our appreciation for the brave men and women of Flight 93.”

Located in Shanksville, Somerset County, the Flight 93 National Memorial is a living memorial rising from the crash site of United Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. The plane crashed into the field as some of the passengers and crew struggled with terrorists who intended to use the aircraft in an attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

A library of images can be accessed here

Participating staff members included:
•    Reneé Seifert, President and CEO
•    Ann Nemanic, Vice President of Partnership and Development
•    Ann’s daughter Hannah Nemanic
•    Anna Weltz, Director of Public Relations
•    Breanna Smith, Marketing Coordinator

About the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau®:
The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau is the destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania. Established in 1958, the LHVB implements year-round seasonal marketing campaigns throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to enhance awareness of the Laurel Highlands as a travel destination, which increases overnight stays, generates jobs and contributes to the economic growth and quality of life for the region. 

The visitors bureau and its partners influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose the Laurel Highlands through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services. Destinations within the area include three architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater ®, Kentuck Knob and Duncan House – Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, the Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park and much more. 

Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington D.C., the Laurel Highlands can be easily accessed from exits 67, 75, 91 and 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

To discover all that the Laurel Highlands has to offer, please call (724) 238-5661 or visit www.laurelhighlands.org, www.facebook.com/laurelhighlandsPA and www.twitter.com/laurelhighlands. Check out the 2016 Laurel Highlands Destination Guide!