On Sept. 29, 2012, three days after what would have been his 50th birthday, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge honored the memory of Richard J. Guadagno with the dedication of its new pavilion. Guadagno was among the brave passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 whose heroic actions prevented further tragedy on September 11, 2001. At that time, Guadagno was the refuge manager of Humbolt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California and he was a trained law enforcement officer. The pavilion will serve as a launching site for visitors to explore the refuge where his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began.

Image courtesy U.S Fish and Wildlife Service