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Sacred Ground
The focus of the Bowl and central feature of the memorial is the Sacred Ground, which is the final resting place of the passengers and crew of Flight 93. A black slate plaza and sloped wall form a front to the Sacred Ground. From here the public can view into the crash site and leave tributes in wall niches. To prevent public intrusion, a vertical drop of 12 feet occurs behind the sloped wall. The lower area then slopes up to the edge of the Sacred Ground field that will be planted with low maintenance grasses and wildflowers that will bloom from Spring through Autumn.
A white stone slab, aligned with the Flight Path, provides entry for families of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 to the Sacred Ground. Offset concrete walls frame a gate, opened only for ceremonies or family visits. The western wall holds a folded band of polished, translucent white marble with the forty names inscribed in alphabetical order and the date of September 11, 2001. This marble band is backlighted at night from within the wall. A cluster of American Beech trees at the walls and bench provide shade and shelter and are uplighted to foster intimacy and indirect illumination of the area. As at the Entry Portal, the Flight Path will be illuminated with recessed in-grade linear blue lines of gentle light perpendicular to the path. The fence line will be changed to include the existing earth mound within the Sacred Ground for family seating and contemplation. The Hemlock Grove and cabins are preserved to provide solitude and shelter to family visitors. |
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EntranceThe Bowl Sacred Ground
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