Ex-Steelers carrying the ball for Flight 93 memorial

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July 15, 2009

By BERNIE HORNICK The Tribune-Democrat Wed Jul 15, 2009, 11:19 PM EDT

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.

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