Volunteers are being sought for the placing of more than 7,000 flags at a new Somerset County memorial that intends to honor those who fought and died in the global war on terror.
The Patriot Park Foundation will be working with the flags on Tuesday at the Route 30 site in Stonycreek, just west of the entrance to the Flight 93 National Memorial. Anyone interested in helping with the effort can contact the foundation at [email protected].
Ground was broken last month for the Patriot Park Global War on Terrorism Memorial not far from where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field Sept. 11, 2001, after being hijacked by terrorists. A fundraising campaign is ongoing, but organizers plan on getting an initial phase complete in time for the 20th anniversary of the crash.
The beginning phase includes parking, access to the site and the flags. More phases are planned as money is raised. Organizers intend to honor the military men and women who continued the fight that started over the skies of Western Pennsylvania with the new memorial park. It is expected to take several million dollars to complete.
Forty passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93 died a few miles away after fighting back against terrorists who hijacked the plane as part of a coordinated effort in which three other planes crashed into targets that day in New York City and Arlington, Va.
Events are planned for early September at the new memorial. The Remembering Our Fallen Tribute Towers traveling memorial will be at the site Sept. 2-6. The Global War on Terrorism History Project, a nonprofit traveling display, will be there with an educational exhibit.
A dedication ceremony will be held Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. to officially open the site.
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