Eight years after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, former Gov. Tom Ridge still has a hard time conveying his feelings to those who lost family members aboard United Airlines Flight 93, the plane that crashed in Somerset County.

"I never really know what to say to you," he told relatives attending last night's fundraiser at Heinz Field. "I have struggled to find the right words since I met many of you eight years ago. Nothing ever feels enough. No words can capture the sadness and, equally important, the pride that we all feel for those you loved."

Mr. Ridge, former secretary of Homeland Security, was among the speakers gathered for the "9/11 We Will Never Forget" dinner to support the construction of a permanent memorial to the 40 crew members and passengers of Flight 93 at the site of the crash.

Organized by former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, the event was hosted by Art Rooney II, Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis, with special guests including retired Gen. Tommy Franks. The event also included remarks by Neil Mulholland, president of the National Park Foundation, and a videotaped message from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

More than 500 people attended the event to bring the project closer to its $23 million goal.

"The passengers and crew of Flight 93 are an emblem of America's great glory," Mr. Ridge told the relatives. "The Flight 93 national memorial is for you as well as your loved ones. It is for our fellow citizens. It is for history. It is for future generations who will come to know the story of the 40."

Among those attending was Deborah Borza, of Foxfire Village, N.C., treasurer of the Families of Flight 93, one of the partner groups working toward construction of the memorial. Ms. Borza lost her daughter, Deora Bodley, 20, who was the youngest female passenger to perish aboard Flight 93. She has returned to Shanksville every year since the crash, except for 2002, and she intends to be there Nov. 7, when ground for the memorial is broken.

"This event means that the permanent memorial for the heroes of Flight 93 will be complete -- at least Phase One -- for the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11," she said. "It's important that I be here. For my daughter and all the others."

Flight 93 was on its way from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco that morning, when it was hijacked near Cleveland. The plane abruptly changed course, headed for Washington, D.C., where another plane had already crashed into the Pentagon.

The Boeing 757 went down just after 10 a.m. into a reclaimed strip mine.

Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said that the team has always felt a connection with the families of Flight 93. "It's important to never forget those heroes who sacrificed their lives to make difference," he said.

For more information, go to www.honorflight93.org.