Flight 93 Memorial

September 14, 2005


Secretary Gale Norton
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240


Dear Secretary Norton,

Please add my name to the list of those who strongly object to the proposed Crescent of Embrace memorial in commemoration of Flight 93.

Surely the object of the memorial is not to honor the hijackers, which such a memorial as is proposed implies. If so, Embrace of Hatred and Death would be a more appropriate name for the memorial. If, on the other hand, the memorial is intended to honor the citizen soldiers who engaged the enemy terrorists, thwarting their heinous plan, at the cost of their own lives, then surely a more appropriate memorial depicting the "can do," "Let’s Roll" spirit is the obvious choice of theme. In fact, it is impossible to believe that the "Let’s Roll" call to battle is not the central theme of the memorial. That cry of engagement is right up there in American battle lore with "I have not yet begun to fight," "Remember the Alamo," and other famous battle cries.

Do not allow the valor and patriotism of the citizen soldiers of Flight 93 to be hijacked too.


Very truly yours,




Douglas J. Hill