Local company commissioned to make memorial for victim of Flight 93 crash
By RICHARD NILSEN, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
When Mary "Kitty" Riznyk was contacted by Gary Goltz about finding a particular grave site at Ferndale Cemetery, she didn't realize it would lead her to being part of the National Memorial to Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pa.
"[Goltz] is a fan of actor Broderick Crawford, who is buried at Ferndale, where I am a volunteer," Riznyk said. "He's also the chief operating officer of the U.S. Judo Association."
Besides being a volunteer with Ferndale, Riznyk also is general manager for Cherry Valley Memorials' office in Gloversville.
Goltz contacted Riznyk to see if a memorial could be designed for United Airlines
Flight 93 passenger and judo black belt holder Jeremy Glick.
Glick was among the passengers who tried to stop terrorists who hijacked the plane on Sept. 11, 2001. The plane crashed in a wooded area in Pennsylvania, killing all aboard.
Riznyk said Goltz appreciated her help in finding the grave of Crawford. That led to him contacting her for a memorial to Glick.
Cherry Valley made the memorial. Its inscription says, "The United States Judo Association promoted Jeremy Glick to the highest rank of black belt for living the principle of judo mutual welfare and benefit sacrificing his life for our country September 11, 2001."
The design, showing the United States Judo Association symbol, a star of David and a black belt, was designed by Riznyk and Cherry Valley Memorials owner John R. Viscosi at the company's office in Gloversville and fabricated at the company's plant in Cherry Valley.
Riznyk will be going to a memorial site in Pennsylvania Friday with the monument and have dinner with Glick's widow, Lyzbeth Glick Best, now remarried. The memorial will be erected at a memorial site near Stoystown, Pa.
"It's a great honor," Riznyk said.
Riznyk said the installation of the Glick memorial will be Saturday, separate from a service that took place today at 9:30 a.m. Today's service was to include tolling bells and a reading of the names of the "40 Heroes" of the flight and laying of wreaths.
Viscosi said he's "honored such an important stone has been commissioned by a local company. It's quite a thrill to be a part of this."
According to the National Parks Web site, Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pa., and "has been called the first victory in the war on terrorism in recognition of the extraordinary bravery and heroism shown by the 40 passengers and crew members in preventing the hijacked plane from reaching the nation's capital."
Authorities believe the terrorists planned to crash the plane in Washington.
Best wrote a book, "Your Father's Voice," so her daughter, Emerson, now 7, would know the full story of her father.
For more information about the memorial, go to www.honorflight93.org.
