Chalk artists honor Flight 93 victims ahead of 9/11 25th anniversary

Twenty chalk artists from across the United States gathered at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Thursday to create portraits of the 40 passengers and crew members who died aboard United Flight 93 during the Sept. 11 attacks.

The artworks were made ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, as a tribute to those who died when the plane crashed into a field after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers.

Erik Greenawalt, who led the group, spent the day drawing a portrait of Todd Beamer. He described Beamer as a New Jersey resident who worked for the Oracle Corporation and was travelling to San Francisco on business that day. Beamer is widely remembered from the 9/11 reports and call transcripts for saying "let's roll" as passengers began their counterattack against the terrorists, alongside countless others aboard the flight.

"We are here creating portraits of them in honor and remembrance of their sacrifice and the heroism that was exhibited that day," Greenawalt said.

Another artist, Jennifer Ripassa, worked on a portrait of Deora Bodley, who at 20 was the youngest person on the flight. Ripassa said the day had been emotional, noting that Bodley was also from Southern California and that she had lost her own brother at a young age. "I feel very much for the family, and I really want to help keep her alive in my drawing," she said.

Greenawalt described chalk art as an ephemeral form meant to be appreciated in the moment, comparing it to life itself: temporary, but with memories that are beautiful and everlasting, much like the remembrance of the passengers and crew.

The completed portraits will remain on display at the memorial through Sept. 20, weather permitting, before gradually fading.