Newsletter #9: Sept. 18, 2026 – On September 11, 2026, the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, hundreds of people came to Shanksville, Pennsylvania to honor the 40 fallen heroes and heroines of United Flight 93. The hijacked airplane crashed into a field in rural western Pennsylvania after passengers stormed the cockpit to try and regain control of the airplane. As the fourth hijacked plane that day, they had learned about the Twin Towers in New York City and knew their plane was now a weapon. For six minutes, they fought valiantly with terrorists flying the plane. When rolling the plane back and forth did not dissuade the passengers, the terrorists purposely crashed the plane. Traveling at 563 miles per hour and upside down, at 10:03 a.m., a field in Shanksville became sacred ground. Etched into an overlook at the end of the walkway at the Flight 93 National Memorial visitor center are the words: “A common field one day. A field of honor forever.” We are all stewards of that field.

Over the years since 9/11, I’ve covered many anniversaries in Shanksville as more than 2,000 acres were first preserved and then developed into the Flight 93 National Memorial. The site is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial and others. It’s one of the most beautiful memorials in the national park system.

I’ve written before about a sign posted on the long and winding road traversing the memorial that, upon arrival at the main entrance, tells visitors to slow down. That is as it should be. Taking time to learn about 9/11 will ensure the tragic events in Shanksville, New York City, and at the Pentagon are not forgotten.

VIDEO: September 11, 2026 at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

September 11, 2026 in Shanksville

Per instructions for the media, I arrived before sunrise to check in and secure a place on the media riser. Light rain fell. As the sun came up, a brigade of volunteers with towels dried row after row of chairs set up for the hundreds of Flight 93 family members, representatives from United and American Airlines, and the public who would begin arriving shortly.

Prior to the morning program at 8:30 a.m., I walked over to the Wall of Names, an installation of 40 marble panels, one for each of the 33 passengers and seven crew members who were murdered that day. A very small space separates each panel to honor each life yet stand tall and united together as the passengers and crew did during the flight’s final terrifying moments.

At the Wall of Names, I watched as two women were laying flowers in front of Capt. Jason M. Dahl’s panel. He was the Flight 93 pilot. Sheryl Stoll is Jason’s first cousin. She and her daughter, Marisa, were there with other members of Jason’s family to honor his memory as they have on each of the previous 24 anniversaries. Sheryl fondly remembers Jason’s love of aviation from a young age and said he was like a little brother to her. He earned his private pilot’s license before he had his driver’s license, Sheryl said with a smile. After becoming a United Airlines pilot, he was quickly promoted to a Standards Captain with responsibility to train and evaluate other pilots. He was just 43 years old when he died. Marisa lives in Texas and before she left to come to Shanksville, she placed a poster on her office door to let people know about 9/11 and her mom’s cousin.

I always stop in front of Lorraine G. Bay’s marble panel at the Wall of Names. Lorraine was one of the five Flight 93 flight attendants. In 2015 when the Flight 93 National Memorial visitor center opened, I interviewed Emily Root Schenkel, her goddaughter, and Edwin Root, Lorraine’s first cousin and Emily’s father. Emily spoke tenderly of her “Aunt Lorraine” who loved her job even after 37 years in the skies. Emily said she preferred working in coach so she could meet – and take care of – more people.

During the morning observance this year, a representative from each family came to the podium to read their loved one’s name, followed by two bells tolling in remembrance. It was a solemn, powerful tribute.

As I reflected on the event, it occurred to me that we often say we will never forget such tragedies as 9/11. But words are simply not enough. Sheryl emphasized how important it is for the next generation to learn about 9/11. She is proud that the memorial offers teachers and parents their “Teach to Remember 9/11” curriculum that can be easily downloaded through the memorial’s website.

And I believe keeping the personal stories of the Flight 93 passengers and crew alive is also critical to never forgetting the tragedy.

I am honored to have met and interviewed relatives of two of the seven crew members. The following is a brief introduction to all seven crew members with some information provided by the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial and the National Park Service. Read about their lives. Then tell others about them so they can be inspired to read and learn how ordinary citizens and extraordinary professionals on United Flight 93 gave the ultimate sacrifice to save lives, likely at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

To read more about the crew and the 33 passengers, visit: Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial website.

United Flight 93 Crew – September 11, 2001

1. Capt. Jason M. Dahl, 43, Flight 93 pilot: Jason earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 years old. He graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in aeronautics operations and was a pilot with United Airlines for 16 years. He rearranged his schedule to fly on 9/11 so he and his wife could take a trip to London to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. He was the father of one son, Matthew.
2. LeRoy Homer, 36, Flight 93 First Officer: LeRoy also earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 years old. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1987 and served during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was the father to a daughter born in 2000.
3. Deborah Walsh, 49, Flight 93 flight attendant: Deborah was the purser and lead attendant on Flight 93. She lived in Manhattan and often took leftover airline meals to the homeless.
4. Lorraine G. Bay, 58, Flight 93 flight attendant: With 37 years of experience, Lorraine was one of the most senior flight attendants at United Airlines who preferred working coach so she could meet more people. She was very organized and loved sending cards and gifts to family and friends. She mailed cards before boarding Flight 93.
5. Wanda Anita Green, 49, Flight 93 flight attendant: Wanda had 29 years of experience and had achieved her dream of seeing the world. She was the mother of two children and served as a deacon in her church. She had a real estate license and wanted to open her own real estate office after retiring from the airlines.
6. CeeCee Ross Lyles, 33, Flight 93 flight attendant: CeeCee worked for six years as a police officer before becoming a flight attendant. She was the mother of two sons and two stepsons. Her husband described her as tough, smart and caring with a strong faith.
7. Sandy Waugh Bradshaw, 38, Flight 93 flight attendant: Sandy grew up with a goal to become a flight attendant. She was only doing two trips per month in September 2001 so she could be home with her two toddlers and teenage stepdaughter.

One final thought – On my visit to Shanksville in 2021 and this year, the skies over the memorial were breathtaking. In 2021, a brief downpour gave way to a beautiful double rainbow.

And this year as Flight 93 families were passing through the Ceremonial Gate to walk to the crash site, a spectacular and unusual cloud formation seemed to embrace them. It was heartbreaking yet hopeful as they carry on the legacies of their loved ones lost that day. I’m so glad I was there. The Ceremonial Gate is only opened on September 11 each year and only Flight 93 families are allowed to walk to the crash site.

Crosswinds Update
Before traveling to Shanksville for the 9/11 anniversary, I went to the National Archives film library in College Park, Maryland to continue my search for Cornelia’s war bond film. While I did not find her film, I did develop a new lead that I will track down. Stay tuned!

To stream Crosswinds, visit our Crosswinds Cornelia website.

All the best,
Judy