Most people who go before the microphones at a news conference have a pretty good idea of what they're going to say. But Calvin Wilson, whose brother-in-law was co-pilot of United Flight 93, was blindsided.

Stepping up to the podium Wednesday to discuss the construction of the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Somerset County, Mr. Wilson and everyone else in the conference room at Heinz Field had just watched a public service announcement that will be televised nationally the weekend of Sept. 11.

The somber and powerful 60-second message, mixing individual photographs with images of the smoking World Trade Center and Pentagon, is intended to raise funds for the $18 million project. It caught Mr. Wilson off-guard.

"That is the first time I've seen that promo that we're putting out, and it brings back a lot of memories," Mr. Wilson said, his voice faltering with emotion. "Memories that we don't get to suppress, but that we try to live with day to day."

Mr. Wilson's brother-in-law, LeRoy Homer Jr., was one of 40 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists commandeered the plane, intending to crash it into a target in Washington, D.C. Those aboard fought back and were killed when the plane crashed near Shanksville.

Ground was broken for the Flight 93 National Memorial in April and construction is progressing. On Tuesday, the National Park Foundation switched on a live webcam so people can follow the work being done at www.honorflight93.org.

As part of the fundraising effort for the project, former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier has organized a Forty for Forty dinner, featuring 40 Steelers alumni who will join the 40 families of those who lost loved ones aboard Flight 93. The dinner, which will be held Nov. 17 at Heinz Field, was announced at Wednesday's news conference.

Mr. Bleier hosted a similar gathering for families last year, raising $258,000. The goal of this year's event -- with tables going for $4,000 -- is to raise even more from Pittsburgh's corporate community.

Those attending the announcement included former Steelers lineman Todd Kalis, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of NFL Alumni; King Laughlin of the National Park Foundation and campaign manager for the Flight 93 National Memorial; and David Beamer, father of Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer.

"It is vitally important that we remember what happened that day," Mr. Beamer said. "It grieves me to know that some recent textbooks say the following about United Flight 93: 'A fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania.'

"That's not sufficient. This project is very special, very different, very appropriate. And it must get done. We're very pleased with the progress.

"But I must tell you it has been nine years. The 40 folks on that plane that day did what they had to do in about 30 minutes. ... I must also say I'm a tad disappointed that it's not already done."

Mr. Wilson said the Flight 93 family members have difficulty moving forward, even though they know they must. Each year, he said, the approach of Sept. 11 reopens their wounds.

"The memorial that we're building right now ... it's not for us," he said. "I don't need a memorial to remember LeRoy. This is our gift to the American people and those that understand what this is about.

"They weren't professional heroes. They weren't our law enforcement, they weren't our firefighters, they weren't the military. They were us. They went to work, they were thinking about the next sale, about their grandkids. Things other than the fact that they were going to be the heroes that day."

Mr. Bleier said the event also will serve to honor Gov. Ed Rendell, who has championed the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.