September 11 was a day that greatly impacted us all as Americans.  For my family, it was also a day of personal tragedy as my uncle, Edward P. Felt, was on board the hijacked United Flight 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania.

I was ten years old, when that day was forever branded in my memory. Coming home from school that day I vividly remember hearing the news reports about all the terrorist attacks. It was crushing to see the footage, and to sit helplessly wondering what the fate of my Uncle was. When the reports finally came out that there were no survivors on United 93, the  devastation  my family felt due to the loss of my Uncle Ed was indescribable.  

When asked whether I would be interested in helping to raise funds for the Flight 93 Memorial by running  the 2011 New York City Marathon, my answer was immediately “Yes!” The families and friends of passengers have been working tirelessly to raise money, $21,000 thus far but our short term goal is $25,000.  

No amount is too small and all of it goes to a cause that is dear not just to my family, but hopefully to all of us as Americans. Miss you Uncle Ed, forever in our hearts! You didn't give up and neither will we.

FAMILIES OF FLIGHT 93 wrote -

We are relatives and friends of the 40 Heroes of United Airlines Flight 93 who perished on September 11th; we run to honor our lost loved ones and raise awareness and funds to support building a fitting National Memorial in Pennsylvania; we work with the National Park Service, Friends of the Flight 93 Nat'l. memorial, and the Nat'l. Park Foundation, among others; PLEASE join us in running and raising funds, it is the patriotic & right thing to DO-nate NOW!

As a nation we vowed to NEVER FORGET the terrorist attacks of September 11th and to honor the heroes we lost on that fateful day.  Among them are the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who made the ultimate personal sacrifice in order to save countless lives in our nation’s capital.

A gift of any size to the The Families of Flight 93 will help us move toward completing the memorial. Your gift supports our mission and honors the memory of 40 individuals that made a difference to our nation.