National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is a permanent outdoor installation honoring the 184 people killed during the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77. Located on the southwest side of the Department of Defense headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, the memorial provides a contemplative space for reflection on the events of that day. It was the first of the three major 9/11 memorials to be completed and dedicated.

History and background

The immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks saw a Flight 77 Boeing 757 crash into the western facade of The Pentagon, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life. In the years following the attack, the Pentagon Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization led by family members of victims, spearheaded the effort to create a permanent tribute. The United States Congress authorized the memorial's construction in a reserved area of the Pentagon Reservation, with the Department of Defense providing oversight. A global design competition was launched, attracting submissions from architects and artists worldwide, to create a fitting monument for the site of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on American soil.

Design and layout

The memorial's design, titled "Reflecting Absence," was created by architects Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman of Kaseman Beckman Advanced Strategies. The layout is organized along a timeline of the victims' ages, from three to seventy-one, with each life represented by a unique "Memorial Unit" cantilevered bench. Each bench is inscribed with a victim's name and is positioned over a small pool of water, illuminated from below. The benches for the 59 passengers and crew of American Airlines Flight 77 are oriented so visitors read the names facing the sky, while the 125 Pentagon victims' benches face the building's impact point. The memorial grounds are shaded by 85 Paperbark Maple trees and paved with aggregate gravel, creating a serene, park-like environment adjacent to the rebuilt Pentagon wall.

Dedication and ceremonies

The memorial was officially dedicated on September 11, 2008, in a ceremony led by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen. President George W. Bush delivered remarks, and family members of the 184 victims participated in the reading of names. Annual remembrance ceremonies are held each September 11, involving the Department of Defense, Arlington County first responders, and victim families. These events often include moments of silence, musical performances, and the traditional laying of wreaths to honor those lost in the Attack on the Pentagon.

Memorial features

Central to the memorial are the 184 illuminated benches, each positioned according to the victim's birth year. A "Age Wall" increases in height along the timeline path, symbolizing the victims' accumulating life experiences. The memorial incorporates several symbolic materials, including Norwegian granite for the benches and a special light-filtering aggregate in the paving. The design intentionally avoids overt representations of the attack, focusing instead on individual loss and memory. The site also includes a survivor's wall and a gateway that orients visitors toward the specific impact zone on The Pentagon.

Management and visitation

The memorial is managed and maintained by the Office of the Secretary of Defense through the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. It is open to the public 24 hours a day, with no admission fee, and is accessible via the Washington Metro's Pentagon station. The National Park Service often partners for interpretive support, and volunteer docents provide historical context about the September 11 attacks. The site is a stop on many tours of Washington, D.C. landmarks and is frequently visited by international dignitaries, military personnel, and school groups learning about modern American history.

Category:Monuments and memorials in Virginia Category:September 11 memorials and monuments Category:2008 establishments in Virginia