PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – More than 100 Philadelphia police and corrections officers left this Saturday morning for an annual 250 mile motorcycle ride to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, site of the September 11 Flight 93 crash.

John Hamilton, founder of ‘The Brothers of Flight 93′, a non-profit that raises money for a permanent Flight 93 memorial, described the morning of September 11, 2001.

“It was a sparkling, sunny, early Autumn morning with a cloudless blue sky…”

Before leaving on a morning similar to that September morning nearly a decade ago, Hamilton spoke to the a group of over 100 motorcycle riders about the reasons for the annual ride. He was emotional describing the heroics of the passengers and crew of Flight 93.

“They boarded the airplane as strangers, but 45 minutes after takeoff they joined together in an unforgettable action that saved the lives of countless people in our nation’s capital.”

He also said the trip honored all September 11 victims in New York, Washington D.C., and the men and women in the service.

Don Hessler is among the first-timers and explained why he decided to join this year.

“Patriotism and remember the fallen heroes. I was supposed to be in New York that day, it’s emotional every year.”

After reading off the names of the Flight 93 crash victims, a prayer for safety, and final preparations, the trip to Shanksville began. Once there, they will lay a wreath and pay their respects.

Link:
http://www.brothersforflight93.com/

Reported by Tim Jimenez, KYW Newsradio 1060