[Arleigh]

These men could have literally saved my life! I work in a tall building just 600 yards to the NNW of the White House. If Flight 93 had attacked the White House and missed or been shot down by the Secret Service, I might be buried under rubble right now.

These men should be given the civilian version of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Every war needs heroes, especially in the beginning when things look dark and the people need encouragement and inspiration. HERE ARE OUR HEROES!

[village idiot]

These men should be given the civilian version of the Congressional Medal of Honor..

.....and that would be......?

[LadyAustin]

I heard one Senator (can't remember which one) say that he's recommending the Medal of Freedom for the guys who tried to retake the plane.

[laconic]

These guys probably saved our White House, maybe the Capitol, probably several thousand lives in downtown Washington. We are all grateful to them.

[Critter]

"These men should be given the civilian version of the Congressional Medal of Honor"

I think they should be awarded the highest honor available, military or civilian.

[fnord]

I tear up every time I hear this story. Such love and heroism is hard for me to fathom. These heroes certainly deserve the civlian Medal of Freedom. I would go along with bending the rules to give them the Medal of Honor too! (After all we were at war when the first tower was hit.)

I thought an entirely separate but meaningful addendum would be to present to the next-of-kin of each passenger ... a US flag that was flying on Tuesday in our nation's capital. Who knows where the plane would have hit. Give them the flags from the White House, State Department, Congress, etc. Have senior administration officials visit the NOK and present the flag with a personal note from the President. Might not seem like much, but the families might treasure the flags.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

These men should be given the civilian version of the Congressional Medal of Honor

I agree, you are speaking of the Presidential Medal of Freedom I believe, and a USS Jeremy Glick and an USS Todd Beamer would be quite fitting as well.

I could see the Destroyers Beamer and Glick sailing alongside the carrier Ronald Reagan going to the Indian Ocean to do the work of patriots.

[Geezerette]

Yes! The Congressional Medal of Honor (Civilian) would be very appropriate for these true American heros!

And thank God you and those in your building are safe!

g