Although I don’t plan on seeing “United 93″ at least the families will benefit from those moviegoers who do see the movie as Universal Pictures made a contribution of $1.15 million to Families of Flight 93, a 501(c)(3) not-for- profit organization formed to commemorate and honor the heroic actions of the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Universal’s contribution will be used by the Families of Flight 93 to further efforts for a national memorial.

“We are extremely grateful for Universal Pictures’ generous donation and to Paul Greengrass for letting us work so closely with them during the filmmaking process,” said Hamilton Peterson, President of Families of Flight 93. “Universal’s contribution, along with other private and federal funds, will help ensure our efforts to permanently honor the forty heroes of Flight 93.”

In advance of the release of “United 93,” Universal pledged that 10 percent of all box-office revenue collected from the first three days of the North American release would benefit the efforts to memorialize the heroes of Flight 93. “United 93″ opened nationwide April 28, 2006, with a total weekend gross of $11,478,000 million. True to their word, Universal delivered a check in the amount of $1,147,800 to the Families of Flight 93.

I commend Universal for sharing the proceeds from the film with the families. However, I know that when I saw the preview for the movie, “United 93″, it was much more than I could bear. I go to the movies for an escape, and I was totally broadsided by the images on the screen. The content of this movie is just too painful for me. I do realize that everyone has varying opinions about the movie and there’s nothing wrong with that. The victims deserve a memorium and we should definitely never forget. I know I won’t - with or without this movie.