Tribune Review: by Mary Pickels

The second annual “Walk 93” at the Flight 93 National Memorial will be held June 25, preceded by a tour of the site's new visitor center.

The Friends of Flight 93, the National Park Service and Leadership Somerset County are coordinating the walk, a fundraiser to purchase trees to replace ones that are damaged at the site's memorial groves.

The park tells the story of United Airlines Flight 93's 40 passengers and crew, some of whom fought with terrorist hijackers for control of the plane before it plummeted to the ground near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.

They are credited with preventing the plane from striking a target in Washington, D.C.

Held rain or shine, the event is not a timed race.

“We want people to take the time to reflect on what happened there with Flight 93,” said Sarah Bittner.

Bittner, who worked with Leadership Somerset County to organize the event, said last year's inaugural walk attracted nearly 200 people.

Participants will tour the visitor center at 8 a.m., before it opens to the public.

At 9 a.m., walkers will proceed along the 2.28-mile Allee Walkway, Wetlands Bridge and Western Overlook Trail.

Planners hope to attract more visitors from the Pittsburgh area, said Brook Neel, Friends of Flight 93 development assistant.

Registration for the walk started this week and will continue through June 9. Registration can be completed online, or by mailing the registration form with payment to Friends of Flight 93, P.O. Box 911, Shanksville, PA, 15560.

Fee for adults is $25; ages 13-17, $12; children 12 and younger are free.

Adults and youths will receive a shirt with their registration. Children's shirts can be purchased for $7.

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