The NPR Politics Podcast

Sacred Ground: A 9/11 Story

Sep 3, 2021

Tim Lambert, a public radio reporter and landowner where Flight 93 crashed, shares his unique firsthand insights on the national tragedy. Debbie Borza, mother of a Flight 93 victim, discusses her tireless efforts in establishing the Flight 93 National Memorial. Lori Guadagno, sister of another victim, reflects on her personal journey of grief and connection to the site. The guests explore the emotional aftermath of 9/11, the struggles of loss, and the resilience of families, highlighting the importance of remembrance and community healing.

56:09

Creator website

Episode guests

Tim Lambert

Lori Guadagno

Debbie Borza

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Echoes of 9/11: Personal Journeys of Loss

3min

Personal Reflections on 9/11 and the Aftermath of Flight 93

3min

Echoes of Flight 93: A Journey Through Tragedy

15min

Families Confront the Final Moments of Flight 93

2min

Echoes of Flight 93

5min

Reflections on Loss and Legacy

13min

Navigating Grief: A Collective Memorial Experience

3min

Echoes of Grief and Memory

10min

10.

Reflecting on the Historical Significance of a National Park

3min

On Sept. 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked by four al-Qaida terrorists. The passengers and crew fought back and because of that, the plane crashed outside Shanksville, Pa., instead of its likely target: the U.S. Capitol.

Part of the plane crashed onto land owned by Tim Lambert, a public radio reporter at WITF in Harrisburg, Pa. The crash would end up connecting Lambert, in surprising ways, to the first responders who managed the aftermath and to the families of the people who died on board. He gained access and insight into 9/11 that no other reporter had.

Twenty years after Flight 93's crash, Lambert and NPR's Scott Detrow tell the story of Flight 93: what happened that day and what happened over the years to come.

Warning: This episode contains explicit language and content some listeners may find disturbing.

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