SHANKSVILLE, PA -The Friends of the Flight 93 National Memorial have announced that Henry Scully of Pittsburgh and Ligonier has been named Executive Director. The Friends of Flight 93 is the official non-profit supporting organization for the Memorial, established in 2009 to work with the National Park Service at Flight 93 National Memorial, the location where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed on Sept. 11, 2001 when passengers and crew struggled with terrorist hijackers planning to use the aircraft in an attack on the nation's capital. The site is located in Somerset County, approximately 1.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, PA. The Friends group raises awareness of the Memorial, and provides volunteers and resources to enhance the visitor experience and support educational programming and stewardship initiatives at the park.
Scully will work closely with a 12-person Board of Directors, the leadership of the Families of Flight 93, the National Park Foundation, and the staff and Superintendent of Flight 93 National Memorial, Jeff Reinbold. Board President, Lladel Lichty, described Scully's role in the organization's growth. "As we look forward to the 2015 opening of the Visitor Center and Learning Center at Flight 93 National Memorial, the Friends have hired a person with a passionate commitment to sharing the Flight 93 story, who also has a strong business background and many contacts in Western Pennsylvania. We're so pleased that Henry Scully will be able to apply his experience and his background in philanthropy to helping our organization grow, to support future needs at the Memorial. Since Henry joined us, we have been impressed with his energy and vision. He has rolled up his sleeves and jumped into our many projects, including reforestation, welcoming visitors, and helping to plan the commemorative programs for September 10 and 11."
"I am very honored to be in this special position at this important time, to ensure that this heroic act of bravery will be memorialized and communicated to many generations in the future", Scully said in a recent presentation to Flight 93 National Memorial volunteers. "I look forward to continuing the long 2 history of collaboration in the Memorial project by working with the Families of Flight 93 and with the fundraising campaign's many donors, as well as creating new opportunities for individuals, foundations, and corporations to connect with the mission of the Memorial," Scully said.
Superintendent Jeff Reinbold said, "We're excited that Henry is bringing his experience and talents to this leadership role with the Friends. The organization is taking on an expanded role as we move into full operation of the Memorial and Henry will be a great addition."
Through the efforts of the National Park Service, the Friends of Flight 93, the National Park Foundation, the Families of Flight 93 and many valued Foundations and donors, a Learning Center and Visitor Center will open at the site in September, 2015. "So much has been accomplished in developing a beautiful and permanent Memorial to the passengers and crew of Flight 93," Scully observed. "We believe that with the opening of these new facilities in 2015, visitation may well increase from the current level of 300,000 per year to 400,000 to 500,000 annual visitors. We want to be ready to meet the needs of those visitors, as well as to reach out to virtual visitors around the world who cannot travel to Western Pennsylvania, but need to learn about this inspirational story of courage, so important in our nation's history. The Friends are committed to working hard for this cause."
On Sept. 11, 2014, Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert will speak at Flight 93 National Memorial to pay tribute to the heroes on the 13th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks, as well as to witness the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the passengers and crew of Flight 93. The Medal will be on display throughout the weekend at Flight 93 National Memorial and then permanently exhibited in the Visitor Center beginning in September 2015. The public is encouraged to attend a luminaria ceremony sponsored by the Friends of Flight 93 at 7:30 PM on September 10th, weather permitting, and the memorial ceremony which begins at 9:45 am on September 11. Both events will take place at Flight 93 National Memorial, accessible from US Route 30, at 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown, PA. Please check the National Park Service website for updated information www.nps.gov/flni
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
