SHANKSVILLE, Pa. – Murial Borza's plan was to speak slowly, wear a new blue dress and let the spirit of her big sister sweep through her, just as it had on a previous visit where United Flight 93 crashed.
When the time came for the sixth-grader from San Diego to take the stage in the field where the plane went down one year ago, she boldly stepped to the microphone in front of 4,000 mourners. She was flanked by her mother and buffeted by a wild, bone-chilling wind and dark clouds. The day before, it had been 90 degrees and sunny.
Murial and her family took the weather as a sign from their beloved Deora Bodley, a 20-year-old college student from San Diego and one of the 40 passengers and crew members who revolted against the hijackers.
"We were all commenting on how much God was present in the wind today," said Deborah Borza, mother of Murial and Deora. "We were thanking Deora for holding off her tears so it wouldn't rain."
Inspired by thoughts of being like Deora, the 11-year-old Murial took her half-sister's message to the masses, challenging the world to spend 60 seconds pondering what individuals can do to accomplish world peace. It's a notion that Deora once described in a passionate poem, in which she wrote: "People ask who, what, why, where and how. I ask peace."
Murial told an audience that included 535 family members of those who died: "During this period, people can make a pledge to do a good deed that will help mankind in some small way – even if it's a hug, kiss, smile or wave, a prayer or just silent thought of those they love. It would make people feel good, and the remembrance of our loved ones would not be forgotten."
In a ceremony that was part tribute to the dead and part celebration of their lives and heroism, a bell sounded once for each victim. The tolling started just before, and continued through, 10:06 a.m. – the time of impact in the field 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. A crater remains.
In the grassy field about a quarter of a mile from the crash site, the passengers and crew were remembered not only for their struggle to take back the hijacked plane, but also for the way they lived before the tragedy.
"These 40 amazing, extraordinary people had character in abundance," said Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, who was governor of Pennsylvania at the time of the attacks. "They were heroes every single day."
Ridge said one victim was a volunteer tutor, which may have been a reference to Bodley, who taught children to read; one assisted the disabled; one helped restore a shelter for battered women; another volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center; and a crew member saved airline meals to feed the needy.
President Bush, who attended a morning ceremony at the Pentagon, made his first trip to the field yesterday, arriving about noon and walking through knee-high grass with first lady Laura Bush to where the airplane crashed. Bush bowed his head and closed his eyes as a Marine placed a wreath and taps was played. Bush later shook hands and spoke privately with the relatives, including Borza.
During the memorial service, speeches were interrupted by bursts of applause and chants of "USA." Shivering relatives held one another, some tearful and waving small flags. Many wore buttons and T-shirts picturing their lost loved ones. The young son of a passenger saluted during the playing of taps.
Cheers were most enthusiastic at references to the victims as military heroes fighting the first battle against terrorism.
"They thought we would simply stand aside," said Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker. "Early on the morning of Sept. 11 in the skies above, they got their answer. America will always rise to the challenge. America will always fight for freedom. And Americans will never surrender their way of life."
The crowd roared its approval.
Victims were given full military honors, with appearances by Marine Corps honor guards and bands, Air Force planes flying over in the missing-man formation, and other rituals usually reserved for dignitaries or veterans.
The American Legion took the unprecedented step of giving 40 Gold Heroism Awards at once. Only 60 such awards have previously been given in the history of the organization.
"We do not know how long it will take to defeat the scourge of terrorism or how many Americans will give their lives for the cause," Ridge said. "But we do know one thing: The passengers and crew of Flight 93 won the first battle . . .
"Your loved ones did not expect to serve the cause of freedom that morning, but face it they did. They met the challenge like citizen soldiers."
Ridge's remarks were followed by a rifle salute and the release of 40 doves, which soared out of sight against the dark gray sky.
At the end of the ceremony, as the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and soloist Jeanne Wentworth delivered a rousing rendition of "God Bless America," the doves returned, flying together above the crowd. For a brief moment, the sun broke through.
Also attending the ceremony were about two dozen United Airlines employees, all wearing their navy blue uniforms, and about 100 White House staff members who felt indebted to the victims, whose actions diverted the terrorists from striking a target in Washington, D.C., perhaps the White House or the Capitol.
People who attended the memorial service lined the bus route to wave goodbye to departing family members, who were spirited away to meet with Bush for about 90 minutes. The president warmly greeted Murial and Deborah Borza and their extended family.
Family members were grateful for the residents of Shanksville, population 245, and the surrounding communities, where open space is plentiful, green and filled with wild sunflowers, tall grass, bales of hay and stands of trees.
In the days leading up to the memorial, relatives of the 40 victims met for the fourth time since the crash, this time for three days of dinners, picnics, drinks and a private memorial to share grief and hope with others who understand.
On Monday, families met to discuss forming a nonprofit group, a board of directors and a task force to make recommendations about a permanent memorial at the site. Family members also visited the crash site and had a picnic-style buffet dinner.
At a gathering Tuesday night, several family members performed for those who share their grief. Five-year-old Sonali Beaven, daughter of passenger Alan Beaven, sang. Deora's father, Derrill Bodley, who lives in Northern California, played "Steps to Peace" on the piano. He wrote the song two days after Sept. 11.
A candle was lighted for each victim during a slide show featuring passengers and crew members during vacations, wedding days, family outings and other special occasions. One mother sobbed uncontrollably when her son's picture appeared and his name was spoken aloud.
At that dinner, on the eve of Murial's debut on the world stage, the 11-year-old was remarkably calm about the task ahead, insisting she was not nervous and discussing topics usually reserved for adults – life after death, and the existence of God, evil and heaven.
She confided that since losing her sister, she often experienced "some weird presence, like having a freaky feeling and a good feeling at the same time, like you get powers, like being psychic, knowing that there's something around me."
Murial, a Catholic who said her faith was strengthened after Sept. 11, had sent a letter to the Vatican, asking Pope John Paul II to endorse her idea for a minute of silence on the anniversary. She received a personal response, expressing support and offering prayers.
Her sister was surely with her during her speech, Murial said. "She's all I thought about."
Kelly Thornton: (619) 542-4571; kelly.thornton@uniontrib.com
