'Flight Across America' Honors Flight 93 Victims

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. -- Pilots from across the United States gathered in Somerset County on Thursday to honor the victims of the crash of hijacked United Flight 93 as part of goodwill tour to rebuild the public's trust in aviation.

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Pilots Visit Flight 93 Site

About 30 pilots and dozens of visitors sang "God Bless America" following the dedication of a flower wreath at the Flight 93 temporary memorial in Shanksville, about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh.

The pilots, each representing a different state, were mostly flying in private single- or double-engine planes.

They plan to fly to Washington, D.C., on Friday and will end the "Flight Across America" tour in New York by dedicating state flags to the city.

"Our life and livelihood is aviation and we don't want the children to be afraid and grow up with the fear," said Donna Miller, 41, of Golden, Colo. "We are encouraging them and to know it's safe to fly."

Seven crew members and 33 passengers died when the plane crashed in Shanksville. Officials believe the plane was heading for a target in Washington, D.C., when the passengers fought back against four hijackers, who also were killed.

Since the attacks, hundreds of pilots have lost their jobs as the aviation industry has struggled to fill planes, Miller said. She said Flight Across America was a grassroots effort by pilots to encourage people to fly.

Miller, who lost her job as an American Airlines pilot in October 2001, said the tour has been uplifting for her.

"I lost my job as a direct result of Sept. 11, so it's been a wonderful, positive thing for me," Miller said.

On Wednesday, the site will commemorate the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks.

Tom Ridge will speak at the Flight 93 memorial service.

Click here for the complete memorial service schedule.

Click here for Shanksville parking information.

Click here for the Flight 93 Memorial Web site.