PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier believes the crash site of United Flight 93 deserves a permanent memorial.
That’s why he and other ex-football stars are putting their muscle behind the Flight 93 National Memorial, hosting a fundraising reception and dinner at Heinz Field on Sept. 11.
Bleier is chairman of the “9/11 We Will Never Forget Committee.’’ He is organizing the the dinner along with former Steelers Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis. Others who will attend that evening include Steelers President Art Rooney II, former commander in Iraq Gen. Tommy Franks and former Gov. Tom Ridge.
Bleier said the crash site near Shanksville is a special place – where 41 passengers and crew perished during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“They get about as many visitors as the Twin Towers site does,’’ Bleier said, singling out the serenity of the field. “It puts faces, names on the memorial so you don’t lose that identity. They are the first warriors, and that action becomes a legacy.’’
The temporary memorial logged its millionth visitor this year. Sen. Arlen Specter, Gov. Ed Rendell and others have pledged that the memorial will be constructed before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Representatives of the National Park Service said at the news conference that ground will be broken Nov. 7.
Negotiations are under way with the final two landowners – yet to reach terms with the federal government on a price for their properties. The government has said it would use eminent domain, reluctantly, to seize those tracts.
Half the cost of the $58 million memorial must be raised privately to match the $29 million coming from Washington.
King Laughlin of the National Park Foundation said about $15 million has been raised privately.
Jim Lachimia, who works with Rooney, wouldn’t say how much organizers want to raise at the event.
“We’re hoping to make a significant contribution to the memorial fund,’’ is all he would say.
Bleier got the idea for the fundraiser when the schedule for the Steelers – the reigning Super Bowl champs – came out in April.
“Someone pointed out that the kickoff was Sept. 10,’’ he said. “What a wonderful opportunity, from a publicity point of view, with the media coming in.
“I needed star power, and I called Franco.’’
And it took off from there.
“The proximity of Flight 93’s resting place in Shanksville puts me in constant reach of that eventful day,’’ Bleier said. “I had taken my family to the temporary memorial there last summer, and the experience was soul searching.
“The story of a group of courageous passengers and crew who overcame those hijackers continually gives me hope.’’
In a prepared statement Wednesday, Ridge said of the Heinz Field event, “We know that it will be a successful and memorable occasion and bring us closer toward our goal of building the Flight 93 National Memorial.’’
The dinner is being held in conjunction with the Flight 93 National Memorial campaign and the National Park Foundation.
Also Wednesday:
• Ken Nacke, brother of a Flight 93 passenger and an activist for the memorial, was presented with a Steelers jersey, No. 93.
• Details of an auction to be held in conjunction with the dinner were released. The auction will benefit Soldiers Angels, which supports those in the military.
Local News
Ex-Steelers carrying the ball for Flight 93 memorial
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
