Shanksville, PA. (Top40 Charts/ Flight 93 Memorial Partners) - The
National Park Service (NPS), the Families of Flight 93 and the Flight 93 Memorial Partners announced today that multi-platinum country artist
Trace Adkins will perform the
National Anthem at this year's ceremony to honor the 40 heroes of United Flight 93, who lost their lives while fighting to resist a terrorist attack on our nation's capital, ultimately crashing in a field in Shanksville, PA. The ceremony will begin at 9:45 AM on
September 11, 2009, adjacent to the temporary memorial site in Shanksville.
Mr. Adkins, a recipient of the Academy of Country Music's prestigious Single of the Year Award for his song "You're Gonna Miss This," has been a leader in country music for more than a decade.
"Trace Adkins represents the very best of American music. His participation, along with our nationally known speakers, is a tribute to the importance the lives and actions of our heroes hold not only for Americans, but for citizens around the world," said Joanne Hanley, NPS superintendent, Flight 93 National Memorial. "We appreciate Mr. Adkins for lending his voice and talent to this solemn occasion."
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) will deliver keynote remarks. Other speakers include former PA Governor and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and General Tommy R. Franks, USA (Ret), honorary co-chairs of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, as well as Gordon Felt, president of the Families of Flight 93.
This year's ceremony theme is "Upon This Sacred Ground, Courage Remembered." At 10:03 AM - the moment Flight 93 crashed - the name of each of the heroic passengers and crew members of Flight 93 will be read and Bells of Remembrance will be tolled by members of the Families of Flight 93 and community members who assisted on or in the aftermath of 9/11.
The ceremony is open to the public who should arrive no later than 9 AM. For additional information, including directions to the site, go to www.nps.gov/flni. For more information about supporting the Flight 93 National Memorial, please visit www.honorflight93.org.
