Flight 93 marker design picked

Pittsburgh Post Gazette ^ | September 8, 2005 | Paula Reed Ward

[Corin Stormhands]

I simply don't agree with it.

I think that was my point.

FWIW, I do think the name was poorly chosen.

[MassExodus]

I clicked onto this thread as I saw your name and was hoping to see some kind of ironic tid bit of dark humor.

You've never let me down.
Great comment.

[SlowBoat407]

I'm biting my tongue. When I first saw it, my thought went immediately to Islamic symbolism and I was outraged and saddened that the design went through like that. Symbols are important in our lives, and I'd much rather have seen something soaring into the air.

I defer to the families who lost loved ones on Flight 93, however. I will simply honor the heroes in my own way.

[snowsislander]

Well, if the families are OK with it, I am too. Being the the architectural field, I dug a little deeper. If you look at the site plan for the design, it doesn't really look much like the "crescent" of the ROP flavor to me.

There is also a PowerPoint Presentation about the site plan:

http://www.flight93memorialproject.org/powerpoint/FLT93PMAFINAL compress.pps

[Warning --- it's quite large at seven megabytes and their server seems to be quite slow.]

[narby]

And the swastika was a Hindu symbol for a thousand years before the Nazis appropriated it.

It was also a very common symbol for Arizona and New Mexico indians. I've got a 1922 map of AZ and NM, and the decorative border is made of swastikas. An antique indian rug I saw once had prominent swastikas.

The "sun symbol", whatever you call it, for the state of NM is basically a replacement for the swastika.

Someday maybe the indians can reclaim it, and we'll finish putting the Nazi's in the dustbin of history.

[chris_in_nj]

I was simply giving my opinion on the SHANKSVILLE memorial, not the WTC memorial.

I never said that so please don't make such assumptions or ask in such a suggestive manner. What they are doing there is an f-ing atrocity in its own right.

I'm talking about THIS memorial. I can guarantee I hate the radical Islamists just as much, if not more, than you. They murdered my father. I just think some folks here have gained the "WAY too sensitive" nature of the left by reading into things and interpreting them so that they have a reason to be outraged.

-Chris

[rintense]

Bad taste. Besides, its ugly.

[pnome]

Whoa, what a bad choice for your symbolism.

[Ciexyz]

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your father on Flight 93. Every passenger on that plane was a hero. They all contributed to the fighting spirit of the whole with their verbal support, strength and prayers. I'm looking forward to visiting the memorial when it's constructed.

[xcamel]

As long as you're completely comfortable with the idea that from it's dedication day forward, for the foreseeable future, when anyone flies over Shaknsville, they'll see a symbol which has no meaning in AMERICAN SOCIETY except as the historical moniker of ISLAM.

Worse yet, best seen in the fall from a commercial airline flight, in crimson red. Maybe George Soros will buy the farm next door and plant a nice star-shaped grove of maples to make the scene complete.

[Sisku Hanne]

I downloaded all 5 of the designs and studied them several weeks ago. This design was my favorite, but I must admit the red crescent connection popped immediately into my mind, too.
It would be better, IMO, to use the more striking maple that blends from a yellow-orange to red at the top, as opposed to a fully red maple.
But IIRC, the families have planted a red maple at sacred ground in a memorial service, so it would also explain the continuation of this tree as a theme.
Overall the design is lovely, with a wonderful selection of plant materials and a stirring concept. It gave me shivers when I first saw it.

[KMJames]

When I heard this described on the radio this morning, I nearly choked on my muffin. I listened extra attentively to hear if they said "Crescent of Embrace" or "Crest of Embrace".

I convinced myself it had to be "crest" - now, reading this thread and looking at the design - I am dumbfounded.

I feel a bit better knowing that I'm not the only one who thought "Islam" when confronted with the red crescent.

That said, I have no doubt that the memorial as designed would evoke deep contemplation, however, I also have no doubt that the Islamic connection taints it for me.

[Jeff Head]

I believe it is in horrible taste...IMHO, bordering on insulting. My own opinion, and it may very from those of others on this board and that is fine, is that since it was radical islamics that did the killing that day...acts of war...then we should not attach any symbol remotely resembling their own onto the memorial honoring our dead, and in this particular case, our heroes as well.

[Jeff Head]

I respect your opinion immensly on this issue for clear reasons. Nonetheless, I believe the shape of this memorial tree line borders on insulting for the reasons stated.

My own opinion, and it may very from those of others on this board and that is fine, is that since it was radical islamics that did the killing that day...acts of war...then we should not attach any symbol remotely resembling their own onto the memorial honoring our dead, and in this particular case, our heroes as well.

You are close to those who are involved...could you raise the issue and see what their reasoning is? See if they are aware of the connection and if that is an issue with them? Perhaps share with them the feelings of some of your compatriots here on FR who will certinly, over the years, be among the visitors to the memorial?

Thanks in advance and God bless you and yours, may He ccontinue to omfort you in your loss...and continue to rest the soul of your departed father.

[snowsislander]

I believe it is in horrible taste...IMHO, bordering on insulting. My own opinion, and it may very from those of others on this board and that is fine, is that since it was radical islamics that did the killing that day...acts of war...then we should not attach any symbol remotely resembling their own onto the memorial honoring our dead, and in this particular case, our heroes as well.

I am of the same mind myself. I don't believe that it is appropriate to incorporate the symbol of Islam in this memorial to Americans who were defending themselves -- and America -- against radical Islamists.

[Jeff Head]

Even if it is unintentional. I do not believe they intentionally incorporated a symbol of Islam into the memorial...but now that they know, that it is clear that it looks like such a symbol, I really, really hope they change it.

[NetValue]

People flying over and seeing it will not see it as a tribute to Islam but as a reminder of the blood Islam spilled. It is all in how you look at things, sometimes.

[JulieRNR21]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/commentary.html

Excerpt:

The red crescent moon is the symbol of the The Red Crescent Society, the arm of the International Federation of The Red Cross dedicated to serving Islamic countries and the crescent moon with a star is the internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. It is featured prominently in some variation on the flags of most Islamic states:

Is this really the sort of symbol we want commemorating the crash of UAL Flight 93?

[longtermmemmory]

ARE THESE PEOPLE STONED!?!!!!!!!

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE SEEN AS A MOSLEM SYMBOL!!!!

THE FAMILIES SHOULD BE SUPREMELY OFFENDED THAT THEIR LOVED ONES ARE BEING USED TO JUSTIFY THEIR DEATHS!!!!

[ATCNavyRetiree]

I agree, Chris...this is a beautiful tribute to all our American heroes of Flight 93...God bless your Dad.