The Battle for Flight 93: Decisions, Courage, and Collective Action

Presented by Gordon W. Felt

UTICA, NY – On 7 PM Thursday September 24, Gordon W. Felt brings “The Battle for Flight 93” to the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, sharing the story of the 40 passengers and crew members who, on the morning of September 11, 2001, faced the unthinkable — and chose to act together. Drawing on the official record from the 9/11 Commission Report, NTSB, and FBI, the presentation walks audiences through the timeline of that morning: from the hijacking at 9:28 a.m. to the passenger vote, the collective prayer, and the assault on the cockpit at 9:57 a.m. that ended the flight in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m.

Framed around the theme of E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one — the presentation honors what the historical record supports: a complexly diverse group of strangers who assessed their situation, planned under impossible conditions, and acted as one, without regard to nationality, faith, age, or profession. Rather than speculating on individual roles in the cabin, the presentation focuses deliberately on the collective

decision-making that defined those 35 minutes —of that morning: from the hijacking at 9:28 a.m. to the passenger vote, the collective prayer, and the assault on the cockpit at 9:57 a.m. that ended the flight in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m.

Gordon W. Felt serves as Chief Spokesman for the Families of Flight 93, an organization he has represented at the Flight 93 National Memorial nearly every September 11th anniversary since 2002. His brother, Edward P. Felt, was among the 40 passengers and crew members aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who confronted

hijackers on the morning of September 11, 2001. Felt served on the Flight 93 National Memorial Federal Advisory Commission, the Flight 93 National Memorial Leadership Team, and for many years as President of the Families of Flight 93. He has testified before Congress on the Memorial’s development, delivered remarks at the Memorial’s dedication, groundbreaking, and Tower of Voices ceremonies, September 11 th

commemorative services, and spoken at events including the Congressional Gold Medal presentation, Flight 93 Plaque dedication ceremony at the Capitol and the commissioning of the USS Somerset. Felt works closely with the National Park Service and the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial to preserve and share the story of the 40 passengers and crew, and speaks regularly to students, civic groups, and audiences nationwide with the goal of helping people connect personally with the events of September 11th and the collective courage of those aboard Flight 93.

To ensure adequate seating, please register at this link, https://bit.ly/4qbS9A2 or leave a message at 315-733-4228 Ext 6. This is a Pay What You Can event with a suggested minimum fee of $5.00 that is totally optional. All donations collected either online or at the event will go to the Friends of the Flight 93 Memorial.

You can attend this presentation at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St., Utica. All are welcome to attend this program, and the museum is wheelchair accessible.