NAWEOA

SHANKSVILLE — The Pennsylvania Game Commission on Thursday afternoon dedicated State Game Land 93 near Shanksville in memory of the 40 passengers and crew who prevented terrorists from reaching their intended destination Sept. 11, 2001.  The commission also dedicated a wetland within the game land in memory of a wildlife enforcement officer from California who was one of the 40 passengers on the plane.

The 665-acre tract is about 2.5 miles from the Flight 93 Memorial and alongside Route 30. A portion of the game land lies within the boundary of the memorial. The game land will help to keep the entrance to the Memorial dignified by preventing inappropriate development.  A stone memorial is in place at the site to honor the 40 heroes.

Honor guards comprised of Pennsylvania Game Commission officers and members of the North America Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association posted the colors for the ceremony and laid a wreath at the stone memorial in memory of the fallen officer.  Tom Fazi, information and education specialist for the Southwest Region of the commission, said about 700 people, mainly members of the Enforcement Officers Association, attended the event along with the family of Richard Guadagno, the wildlife refuge manager from California who was on the plane.

Also attending were residents of the area plus the game commission board of directors, game commission officials and representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Fazi said the event was held in conjunction with the Enforcement Officers Association conference in Pittsburgh this week so that its members, who come from all over North America, could attend.

Matt Kramer, a wildlife conversation officer from Butler County, opened the ceremony by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  He also read letters extolling the heroics of Guadagno and the other passengers and crew from the governor and state legislature of New Jersey, where Guadagno was born and raised.

Matt Hough, deputy executive director of the game commission and a Johnstown area resident, read a letter likewise recognizing the heroics of the passengers and crew from President George W. Bush.

Jim Hall, chief law enforcement officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remembered Guadagno as a man who cherished the natural resources and wildlife and fought for righteousness.  “I believe Rich was in the leading group going into the cockpit,” he said, referring to passengers forcing their way into the cockpit to get the terrorists.  “Rich will always walk among us as an American hero.”

James Delaney, president of the game commission, said Thursday was a solemn day because they are memorializing one of their own for heroics of that fateful day in 2001. Jerry Guadagno, father of Richard Guadagno, said the ceremony was impressive.  “It was a great tribute to Rich because it came from his peers,” he said. “Our family is honored.” 

Erin Kabler, a deputy wildlife officer from Johnstown who served on one of the two honor guards, said it was an honor to do so.  Gene Pester, a retired wildlife enforcement officer from Tuttle, Okla., was at the event with his wife, Gail.  Pester said it was important for them to be at the dedication to honor Guadagno and the other 39 passengers and crew who gave up their lives to save others.