Spirit Moves Shiloh Staff Member

Ten years ago, our country experienced the tragedy forever to be known as 9/11. While it was a time of great pain, the experience also instilled in us a renewed sense of patriotism. As our nation reflected on the tenth anniversary, Shiloh Middle School counselor Heidi Zimmerman found herself moved by the need to share this significant event with others. Her communal spirit led her to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site of the crash of United Flight 93.

In the midst of a driving rainstorm on Saturday, September 10, Heidi set off to Shanksville at 8 a.m. without a hotel reservation or any type of travel plan. She just knew the day’s ceremonies began at 12:30 p.m. and she intended to be there.

Arriving in Shanksville to bright, beautiful sunshine, she was directed to a local lodge for her long shot at finding accommodations. Being the beneficiary of a canceled reservation just minutes before, she dropped off her suitcase and headed to the memorial site.

A short time later, as she approached the vast field where Flight 93 landed, Heidi felt a connection that was unlike any other.

“There was a beauty and serenity in seeing the memorial and all of the people who had come together to remember a moment in time, however difficult that time had been for each of them. We were one. We were Americans beholding the sacred ground of true American heroes.”

At 9:28 a.m. on September 11, 2001, the captain and first officer of Flight 93 were overtaken by hijackers who then directed the Boeing 757 jet away from its intended destination of San Francisco and flew toward Washington, D.C. Led by Todd Beamer who uttered the now-famous phrase, “Let’s Roll!” 40 passengers and crew members heroically stifled the effort, causing the plane to crash-land in a large field in Shanksville, a mere 18 minutes flying time away from the U.S. capital.

Heidi’s connection deepened as the dedication of the Memorial Wall took place on Saturday evening, a dramatic ceremony in which candles lit a path toward the wall featuring the names of the 40 passengers and crew members.

As the family members returned down the path after spending time at the base of the wall, Heidi thanked a group of them for sharing the experience with the audience. That group turned out to be the family of Flight 93 Captain Jason Dahl.

“The family thanked me for being there as well and gave me a pin featuring a picture of Captain Dahl. It was incredibly touching.”

Wearing the pin, Heidi was later recognized by officials and asked to light candles, with the blessing of family members, at the wall in memory of Captain Dahl and three others during the luminaria display. She was one of ten people selected for the task.

During Sunday’s commemorative service, President and First Lady Obama came to lay a wreath at the wall and pay their respects. Immediately thereafter, they both approached the area where Heidi stood taking photos and spoke casually with the crowd.

“I said to the President, 'Thank you for loving our country enough to be here today.' He thanked me for my support and Mrs. Obama spent a minute talking with me about the events of the day as they both had spent time earlier in New York City and at the Pentagon. It was a truly exciting encounter.”

Heading home later that evening, Heidi was amazed by the level of involvement she experienced in light of her lack of advance planning.  Beyond that, she was in awe of the people for whom the memorial was established.

“Those 40 people loved their country so much that they performed a truly selfless act which saved the lives of countless others. Their sacrifice was the ultimate exhibition of patriotism.”

Please visit http://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm for more information about the Flight 93 National Memorial.