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May 3, 2008 7:48 pm US/Eastern
Public Hearing Held On Flight 93 Memorial Design
(KDKA)
It was an emotional day for family members of the men and women who perished aboard the hijacked Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 in Shanksville.
The Flight 93 National Memorial Committee met today in a Somerset County courtroom for a public comment hearing on what some are calling a controversial design for the memorial.
Those who oppose the memorial design say it includes a thinly veiled tribute to the hijackers. But those in favor of the layout including some Flight 93 family members say they have no problems with the design.
Critics say the design's crescent-shape, orientation toward the east, a minaret-like feature as well as other design elements call to mind Islam and work as a tribute to the hijackers.
"There's Islamic symbolism in the design," said critic, Lt. Colonel Harry Beam, (Ret.). "The current design should be completely scrapped."
"Please don't sanction the placement of a fully functional Islamic mosque as the head stone on their graves," said another critic, Bill Steiner.
But the families of those who lost their lives told the committee that they would like the construction to move forward.
"To oppose this beautiful expression of what our people think about, what these people did is just so out there. I just don't get it," said Christine Fraser, who lost her sister on Sept. 11.
Sandra Felt, who lost her husband Edward on Flight 93 says she was stunned by what she heard during the hearing.
"I was not prepared for the level of hate being spud. Absolutely unnecessary, absolutely, and very hurtful; it generates hate and division where there should be none. I'm in full support of the memorial. I think it's a beautiful location and design," said Felt.
"I loved my husband dearly and have full respect for those people on that plane," she added. "I would not want to do anything to dishonor his memory at all."
The permanent memorial is planned to be dedicated on September 11, 2011.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
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