story391.xml
Title
story391.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-04-12
911DA Story: Story
I am a reporter for the Daily American in Somerset.
Three years ago, a series of tornadoes damaged our county and caused three deaths. I thought we'd never face a greater disaster. I was wrong.
I was on another assignment when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. When I heard about it, I returned to the Daily American office.
Editor Jim Oliver assigned me to go to the emergency management office of the courthouse. We later heard that the families of those killed in the crash would be going to Seven Springs Resort. I went to the resort in case any wanted to make statements to the press.
A family room was reserved for them. Staff put up banners and drawings made by local schools. We were told when the families came, they took photographs and wrote down the comments because they were so touched.
A media room was set up. More than 30 television stations and newspapers from the U.S., Canada and England were there. The first family member I heard was Gorden Felt, the brother of passenger Edward Felt. I was deeply moved.
When I went to a press conference near the crash site, I was surprised at how it looked. It didn't look like a crash site, it looked like a mine reclamation site. The family and public memorials were very touching.
Since then, I have done numerous stories, interviewing emergency responders, psychologists and others who have worked with the families. They all said the families wanted to give their thanks to the local people.
That is also what they said when they were here for the six month anniversary. One mother said the people responded like "a herd of angels."
People have said they are sad that our beautiful county is now associated with such a tragic event. But one psychiatrist told me one of the mothers said, "This is my son's final resting place ? how beautiful it is."
I am now covering the stories about the plans for the crash memorial and the one to honor volunteers who helped at the scene. The passengers and crew of Flight 93 will always be remembered here. We are honored to be entrusted with that memory.
Three years ago, a series of tornadoes damaged our county and caused three deaths. I thought we'd never face a greater disaster. I was wrong.
I was on another assignment when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. When I heard about it, I returned to the Daily American office.
Editor Jim Oliver assigned me to go to the emergency management office of the courthouse. We later heard that the families of those killed in the crash would be going to Seven Springs Resort. I went to the resort in case any wanted to make statements to the press.
A family room was reserved for them. Staff put up banners and drawings made by local schools. We were told when the families came, they took photographs and wrote down the comments because they were so touched.
A media room was set up. More than 30 television stations and newspapers from the U.S., Canada and England were there. The first family member I heard was Gorden Felt, the brother of passenger Edward Felt. I was deeply moved.
When I went to a press conference near the crash site, I was surprised at how it looked. It didn't look like a crash site, it looked like a mine reclamation site. The family and public memorials were very touching.
Since then, I have done numerous stories, interviewing emergency responders, psychologists and others who have worked with the families. They all said the families wanted to give their thanks to the local people.
That is also what they said when they were here for the six month anniversary. One mother said the people responded like "a herd of angels."
People have said they are sad that our beautiful county is now associated with such a tragic event. But one psychiatrist told me one of the mothers said, "This is my son's final resting place ? how beautiful it is."
I am now covering the stories about the plans for the crash memorial and the one to honor volunteers who helped at the scene. The passengers and crew of Flight 93 will always be remembered here. We are honored to be entrusted with that memory.
Collection
Citation
“story391.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 22, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/7732.