The Congressional Gold Medal

Due to the sensitive nature, and considering the time frame and equipment with which they were captured, the majority of the photographs used in this exhibit will appear pixelated.

September 10, 2014

Gordon W. Felt, President, Families of Flight 93

Ladies and gentleman, honored guests, Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Reid, members of Congress and those here today that may have been working in this very building thirteen years ago:

It is an honor to stand before you today to accept the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor on behalf of the passengers and crew members of United Flight 93. The gravity of today’s ceremony and its location are most appropriate and gratefully appreciated by the Families of Flight 93.

On September 11, 2001, the symbolic foundations of our nation came under attack and much was lost. Chaos, uncertainty and terror threatened to break our spirit as the scourge of unprecedented evil descended upon our nation.


Yet, as the world observed one of America’s darkest moments and our corresponding response, stories of heroism, extraordinary resolve, and American resilience shone brightly. First responders did not run from, but rather toward; individuals that lived through these attacks selflessly worked together to survive and our loved ones on United Flight 93, armed with the knowledge that the nation – our nation – was under attack, took fate into their hands and fought. In doing so, they lost their lives; though in the process most likely saved this very building in which we stand.

Were it not for the people honored today with the presentation of these Congressional Gold Medals of Honor, our course of human events would be far different. Their loss, their sacrifice rekindled a spirit in all freedom loving peoples of the world that we cannot afford to lose. Our job moving forward from September 11, 2001 for these past 13 years and into the future is to remember. Remember the individuals we lost, remember their collective actions, remember who we became.

On behalf of the Families of Flight 93, I thank you.