Ep31: Flight 93: A Story of Heroes

This episode of The Muster Room Podcast takes listeners to the sacred grounds of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as part of their ongoing 9/11 series. Hosts Austin Glickman and Eric Potts are joined by Ken Nacke, a retired Baltimore County police officer and the brother of Louis Joseph Nacke II (Joey), who was aboard Flight 93. Ken shares intimate stories of Joey's life and character, emphasizing that the events of 9/11 were not the defining moments of the 40 heroes on Flight 93, but rather the tragic culmination of their already remarkable lives. The conversation delves into the personal impact of loss, Ken's journey through grief as a first responder, and the unique perspective of being both a family member and a law enforcement officer at the crash site.

The episode highlights the immense heroism of the Flight 93 passengers and crew, who, within a mere 30 minutes, gathered information, processed it, and democratically voted to fight back against the hijackers. This courageous act prevented the plane from reaching its intended target—likely the US Capitol or the White House—and is recognized as the first victory against modern terrorism. Ken passionately stresses that these individuals were "heroes," not "victims," who sacrificed their lives so that others could continue to live theirs, emphasizing the memorial's profound message that individual actions matter and can change the course of history. The discussion also touches upon dispelling 9/11 conspiracy theories and the importance of educating future generations about the diligence and self-sacrifice displayed on that fateful day.