Flight 93 Families Want 'Sacred Ground' Seized

Groups battle landowner for control of Pa. crash site
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 28, 2008 9:15 AM CST
Flight 93 Families Want 'Sacred Ground' Seized
John McCain pays his respects at the temporary United Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pa., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Families seeking a permanent memorial for Flight 93 victims are asking President Bush to seize the land where the hijacked plane went down on Sept. 11, the Washington Post reports. An advocacy group initially tried to buy the land, but ran into conflict with the owner. "What was left was our loved ones; it's a cemetery for us," said one man who lost his brother in the crash. "We want to make sure it's not just being tramped across."

A quarry company that owns the land says it has rejected offers because it has not seen a third-party appraisal. The Flight 93 group accuses the owner of seeking $10 million for the 1,400-acre plot. The White House has not yet responded, but advocates say they're ready to lobby Barack Obama. "The most important thing is to have something there for the 10th anniversary" of Sept. 11, an advocate said.
(More 9/11 attacks stories.)

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