Just as we all have our unique memories from when we heard the tragic news reports on September 11, 2001, we each have unique thoughts and our own ways of honoring those who were lost. On the somber anniversary of that day we can observe a moment of silence, watch special news programming, or just quietly reflect on our feelings and remembrances. But now that the Pentagon Memorial has been completed, there is an officially designated place where people can go to honor and remember the victims.
The Pentagon Memorial opened on Thursday, September 11, 2008 with a solemn ceremony marked by bagpipe music and certainly palpable patriotism. It specifically honors the 184 people who died at the Pentagon site when a hijacked jet, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the east side of the country’s military nerve center. Fifty-nine of the victims were on board the airliner and 125 were at work inside that wing of the Pentagon.
The simple but stunning tribute consists of memorial granite benches—each one engraved with the name of a victim and cantilevered above an illuminated reflecting pool. There is purpose behind the positioning of the two groups of benches and their inscriptions: those dedicated to the Pentagon victims are situated with the building as a backdrop while Flight 77’s victims’ benches have the sky behind them. Each memorial bench was shrouded with a royal blue cover that was then pulled off by a member of the U.S. military as part of the ceremony. The memorial’s design also incorporates maple trees that were chosen for their dramatic, deep-red autumn color.
