Pentagon Memorial

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Rendering of the Pentagon Memorial
Rendering of the Pentagon Memorial

The Pentagon Memorial, under construction outside the Pentagon, is one of several memorials to those killed at the Pentagon in the September 11, 2001 attacks. In the aftermath of the attacks, there were numerous impromptu memorials in areas around the Pentagon. When the damaged section of the Pentagon was rebuilt, the America's Heroes Memorial (a small memorial) and chapel were included, located inside at the exact spot of the Flight 77 impact. The Pentagon Memorial is an outdoor memorial, under construction at the Pentagon. The memorial is scheduled to be dedicated in September 2008, and will be open to the public.[1] Another memorial to victims of the Pentagon attack is located in Arlington National Cemetery.

Contents

[edit] Aftermath

Preparing to lower the flag at the Pentagon on October 11, 2001
Preparing to lower the flag at the Pentagon on October 11, 2001

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, an impromptu memorial was set up on a hill at the Navy Annex, overlooking the Pentagon. People came to pay respects and place tributes.[2] One month after the attacks, 25,000 people attended a memorial service at the Pentagon for employees and family members; speakers included President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.[3] Bush remarked, "The wound to this building will not be forgotten, but it will be repaired. Brick by brick, we will quickly rebuild the Pentagon."[4] The American flag that hung on the Pentagon, near the damaged section, was lowered during the service.[5]

[edit] America's Heroes Memorial

America's Heroes Memorial
America's Heroes Memorial

Opened in September 2002 after Pentagon repairs were completed, the America's Heroes Memorial and chapel are housed where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building.

The memorial includes a book of photographs and biographies of the victims. It also includes five large black acrylic panels: one displays the Purple Heart medal awarded to military members killed in the attacks, another shows the medal given to civilians, two back wall panels are etched with the victims' names, and a center panel shows tribute statements. The small chapel, located in an adjacent room, has stained glass windows with patriotic-themed designs.

[edit] Outdoor memorial

Construction of the outdoor Pentagon Memorial, as of September 2007
Construction of the outdoor Pentagon Memorial, as of September 2007

The Pentagon Memorial being constructed is the memorial design by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman of New York City (with design support from Buro Happold) it was chosen following a design competition. The memorial will honor the 184 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks at The Pentagon. At the heart of the memorial will be 184 illuminated benches, arranged according to the victim's ages, from 3 to 71, in a landscaped 1.93 acre plot. The benches representing the victims on the plane will face skyward, and the benches representing the victims that were inside the building will face the Pentagon (in both cases, the line of sight follows the flight's path). As part of the landscaping, there will be approximately 80 Paperbark Maple trees planted.[6]

The Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc. has a goal of raising $32 million. The construction of the memorial is estimated to cost $22 million, with another $10 million set aside in an endowment to provide maintenance of the memorial.[6] As of May 2007, $13.8 million had been raised for construction of the memorial.[7] Donations include $250,000 from American Forests towards planting trees at the memorial,[8] and $1 million from the government of Taiwan.[9]

Construction began on June 15, 2006, and is tentatively scheduled to be completed in September, 2008.[10] By November 2006, site excavation, re-routing of existing utility lines had been completed, and water lines laid for the fountain pools.[11] By May 2007, the foundation of the perimeter wall was built and concrete pilings poured for each bench.[7]

[edit] Other memorials and tributes

[edit] Arlington National Cemetery

Pentagon September 11 Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Pentagon September 11 Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery has a five-sided granite marker inscribed with the victims' names. Unidentified remains recovered from the Pentagon are buried there.[12]

[edit] Anniversary events

To commemorate the anniversary each year, an American flag is hung on the section of the Pentagon hit by Flight 77. At night, this section of the building is lit up in blue lights. For the fifth anniversary, a "Tribute of Lights" display included 184 beams of light from the center courtyard shining into the sky.

Anniversary events also include the America Supports You National Freedom Walk, which has been held on Sundays. The walk starts at the Lincoln Memorial and ends at the Pentagon.[13] The Arlington Police/Fire/Sheriff 5K Race is held on Saturdays, around the anniversary, with the course going through part of Crystal City and through the Pentagon grounds.

Memorial services are held on the anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon, with one service in an auditorium at the Pentagon for employees. A smaller service is held at the memorial site for family and friends of victims killed at the Pentagon on 9/11.

[edit] Gallery

America's Heroes Memorial

Dedication ceremony marking the start of construction on the Pentagon Memorial

Pentagon lit up for 9/11 sixth anniversary

Pentagon chapel

[edit] Other 9/11 memorials

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pentagon Memorial Project Schedule. Pentagon Renovation Program. Retrieved on 2006-10-12.
  2. ^ "Mourners memorial rises near Pentagon", The Washington Times, September 19, 2001. 
  3. ^ "Bush says that from 'sorrow has come great resolve'", The Washington Times, October 12, 2001. 
  4. ^ Garamone, Jim. "Memorial Service Honors Pentagon Victims", American Forces Press Service, October 11, 2001. 
  5. ^ Garamone, Jim. "Flag at Pentagon Attack Site Lowered, Preserved", American Forces Press Service, October 11, 2001. 
  6. ^ a b Dwyer, Timothy. "Groundbreaking For 9/11 Memorial at Pentagon", The Washington Post, June 6, 2006. 
  7. ^ a b Dwyer, Timothy. "Pentagon Memorial Progress Is Step Forward for Families", The Washington Post, May 26, 2007. 
  8. ^ Killian, Erin. "Forestry group donates $250,000 to Pentagon memorial", Washington Business Journal, September 7, 2007. 
  9. ^ "Joseph Wu visits Pentagon Memorial construction site", Taipei Times, September 9, 2007. 
  10. ^ Ground Broken for Pentagon 9-11 Memorial. Pentagon Memorial Fund (June 15, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-10-12.
  11. ^ Construction Update. Pentagon Memorial Fund (November 13, 2006).
  12. ^ Garamone, Jim. Remains of Pentagon Attack Victims Buried at Arlington. American Forces Press Service. Retrieved on 2007-09-13.
  13. ^ About the DC Walk. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-13.

[edit] External links