My Flight 93 Memorial Service Experience

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby
McCain greets supporters at the Flight 93 Memorial Service on September 11, 2008.

Yesterday, being September 11th, I traveled to Shanksville, P.A. to cover the Flight 93 memorial service. John McCain showed up and the memorial service, that was supposed to be a time of reflection and gratitude to those who gave their lives on flight 93, turned into a political rally full of chanting and cheering. I found the crowd's uproar disrespectful and unnecessary.

I work for the Centre Daily Times as a photographer and had to take pictures of McCain as well as some photos of the friends, family, and public paying their respects at the new memorial after McCain left. I was upset that it turned into a political rally. I was, however, impressed with how McCain handled it. It was the public who began chanting his name and cheering for him during the service, and he didn't seem to acknowledge it. Usually the crowds would receive a political wave or peace sign, but he saved that until the service ended and walked over to greet a few supporters before heading to NYC to meet with Obama at Ground Zero.

I do believe that the memorial of 9/11 should have been solely focused on the victims and their loved ones, but I also recognize the fact that the public, and especially the media, expected both Obama and McCain to attend and speak at the public memorials. It is almost an obligation they are expected to fulfill as presidential nominees. If one or both hadn't made an appearance, their lack of attendance would have taken priority over 9/11 media coverage and the victims wouldn't have gotten any of the recognition they deserve.

It is a double edged sword that should be dulled on both sides. The media and the government shouldn't be working for each other, they should be working for the citizens of the United States. I'm not saying that the media is evil, I work for them, but I do think that they could prioritize a bit better. It's a Dog Eat Dog World out there with the media.

In the media's defense, they cover what the majority of public is interested. But then again, everything seems to be hyper sensationalized and it is easy to become obsessed with certain topics and people. It's just a big old vicious cycle huh?

So, in order to do my part as a member of the media, I requested that today's front page feature photos of the victims' loved ones paying their respects at the Flight 93 Memorial rather than photos of McCain giving his speech. The copy desk agreed and the photos I took of McCain ended up in the back of the paper somewhere. While McCain and Obama's appearances for the 9/11 services were newsworthy, they shouldn't have been priority.

Here is the link to the CDT's news website, where an article written by another staff and my photos can be found. The main photo featured ran front page rather than McCain photos. All you have to do is click on the main photo and a gallery of the others will show up.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/story/835277.html