(Shanksville) -- In excess of 5,000 people waited in hours of traffic and braved muddy fields to see the dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial. Two former presidents and the vice president were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony to honor the 40 passengers and crew who died on Flight 93 on September eleventh, 2001. Now called the heroes of Flight 93, the men and women died trying to thwart the four terrorist aboard who are believed to have planned to send the plane into the U.S. Capitol.  "What happened above this Pennsylvania field ranks among the most courageous acts in American history," former President George W. Bush said. "They saved the capitol from attack, they saved God knows how many lives, they saved the terrorists from claiming the symbolic victory of smashing the center of American government. And they did it as citizens," added former President Bill Clinton. "They knew that it was the opening shot in a new war. And so they acted," Vice President Joe Biden said. Just before they spoke, the names of Flight 93’s 40 passengers and crew were read aloud. A bell tolled after each name.