SHANKSVILLE, Pa. -- Friends and family of the victims of United Flight 93 privately shared their grief and memories at the crash site Tuesday, a day before a public ceremony marking the one-year anniversary.

Preparations for Wednesday's event were put on hold for two hours as the nearly 500 people walked on the grassy field in western Pennsylvania to remember their loved ones, who investigators believe overpowered the hijackers and prevented the plane from reaching its target.

Reporters and the public were barred from the site. Family members later described it as a healing way to remember the passengers and crew.

The gathering was "solemn and sad, and yet celebratory," said Alice Hoglan, 52, of Los Gatos, Calif., whose son, Mark Bingham, was killed. "It was very healing. It was almost a joyful event for me."

"The most important thing to me is that we do not forget," said Hamilton Peterson of Bethesda, Md., who lost her father and stepmother.