SHANKSVILLE, Pa. -- The National Park Service and the group representing the families of loved ones lost on Flight 93 on Sept. 11 have reached a land deal for the memorial site.
The deal allows for the purchase of approximately 950 acres for the Flight 93 National Memorial.
A temporary memorial to the 40 victims was established shortly after the crash at the site, which is in a large field just north of Shanksville in Somerset County.
Flight 93 was one of four planes that crashed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
According to WTAE's news exchange partners at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the deal concludes a process that started in March 2008 when the Families of Flight 93 entered into a formal contract to purchase the property from PBS Coals.
"The National Park Service has been a tremendous partner in helping us fulfill our mission to create a fitting memorial to those 40 brave men and women who lost their lives fighting for freedom," said Patrick White, co-chair, Flight 93 Task Force, in a news release announcing the deal.
Once complete, some 250,000 annual visitors are expected to view the memorial grounds annually.
For more information, visit
www.nps.gov/flni.
Previous Stories: - March 11, 2009: Funding Announced For Flight 93 National Memorial
- February 20, 2009: Flight 93 Memorial Promised By 9/11/11
- November 1, 2008: Park Service Forms Group To Promote Flight 93 Site
- September 10, 2008: John McCain Arrives In Pa., Will Be At Shanksville 9/11 Service
- July 4, 2008: Flight 93 Memorial Visited On July Fourth
- May 3, 2008: 9-11 Memorial Draws More Protest
- February 2, 2008: Flight 93 Memorial Angers Some
- November 30, 2007: White House Decorations Include Flight 93 Tribute
- September 10, 2007: Somerset Gets Sept. 11 Exhibit On 6-Year Anniversary Of Attacks
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