“We Will Never Forget”Pentagon Memorial opens on 7th anniversary <strong>of</strong> 9/11 attacksBy Christy CrimminsOn Sept. 11, 2008, an estimated 16,000 people gathered todedicate the Pentagon Memorial. Those in attendance includedfamily, friends and colleagues <strong>of</strong> the victims <strong>of</strong> the attack on thePentagon, as well as military and civilian dignitaries.“From this time forward, the Pentagon will be more than asymbol <strong>of</strong> government, more than the seat <strong>of</strong> military power. Itis also a place <strong>of</strong> remembrance,” said Secretary <strong>of</strong> Defense RobertGates in his remarks. Remembrance and solace were themesfor the ceremony.Attendees were greeted by a “Healing Field” <strong>of</strong> nearly 3,000flags as they entered the ceremony grounds, representing thevictims from the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville,Remarks were <strong>of</strong>fered by James J. Laychak, chairman <strong>of</strong> theboard for the Pentagon Memorial Fund, who lost his youngerbrother David W. Laychak in the deadly attack on the Pentagon.President Bush <strong>of</strong>ficially dedicated the memorial, saying, “Theday will come when most Americans have no living memory <strong>of</strong>the events <strong>of</strong> September the 11th. When they visit this memorial,they will learn that the 21st century began with a great strugglebetween the forces <strong>of</strong> freedom and the forces <strong>of</strong> terror. They willlearn that this generation <strong>of</strong> Americans met its duty. We did nottire, we did not falter, and we did not fail.”The memorial, located on the southwest corner <strong>of</strong> the Pentagon,covers almost two acres, and is comprised <strong>of</strong> 184 cantileveredbenches <strong>of</strong> steel and granite. The benches are laid out ina timeline from the youngest victim, three-year-old Dana Falkenbergto the oldest, John D. Yamnicky, 71. The 59 benches representingthe passengers on Flight 77 are placed so that visitorsreading the names will face the sky. Visitors reading the names<strong>of</strong> the 125 victims from the Pentagon will face the building.The Sept. 11, 2008 dawnbreaks over the newPentagon Memorialto be dedicated in aceremony attended byPresident George W.Bush, Vice President DickCheney, Secretary <strong>of</strong>Defense Robert M. Gatesand Former Secretary<strong>of</strong> Defense Donald H.Rumsfeld, as well asthe senior leadership <strong>of</strong>the armed forces. Thememorial, the first <strong>of</strong>three national memorialsto the 9/11 victims to becompleted, contains 184benches in honor <strong>of</strong> thosewho died. DoD photo by R.D. Ward.Pa., attacks. One hundred and eighty-four <strong>of</strong> the flags bore blueribbons and the names <strong>of</strong> the victims from the Pentagon andAmerican Airlines Flight 77.The event began with a prelude concert featuring the U.S. AirForce Band and Singing Sergeants, U.S. Army Chorus, U.S. NavalAcademy Chorus and the J.W. Alvey Elementary School SingingSunrays.Deputy Secretary <strong>of</strong> Defense Gordon England opened thededication ceremony with remarks, followed by a reading <strong>of</strong> thenames <strong>of</strong> those who died at the Pentagon and on Flight 77. Thereading paused at 8:47 a.m., the time that the first plane hit theWorld Trade Center’s North Tower, to observe a nationwide moment<strong>of</strong> silence.A wreath was laid at the entrance <strong>of</strong> the memorial as a buglerplayed taps from the ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Pentagon above a flag hung inthe same place rescue workers hung one seven years ago. Anothermoment <strong>of</strong> silence was observed in honor <strong>of</strong> the victims<strong>of</strong> the Pentagon attack.The families <strong>of</strong> the victims had a hand in the memorial’s design.Rectangular reflecting pools <strong>of</strong> water s<strong>of</strong>tly glow frombeneath each bench inscribed with a victim's name. Forty-two<strong>of</strong> the benches represent U.S. <strong>Navy</strong> victims from the Pentagonattack. Approximately 80 paperback maple trees are scatteredbetween the benches, helping to create a serene, park-likeatmosphere.“A memorial can never replace what those <strong>of</strong> you mourning aloved one have lost,” Bush said, “We pray that you will find somecomfort amid the peace <strong>of</strong> these grounds. We pray that you willfind strength in knowing that our nation will always grieve withyou.”The memorial will be open 24 hours a day, seven days aweek.Christy Crimmins provides communications support to the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> the<strong>Navy</strong> <strong>Chief</strong> <strong>Information</strong> <strong>Officer</strong>.20 CHIPS www.chips.navy.mil Dedicated to Sharing <strong>Information</strong> - Technology - Experience
CHIPS October – December 2008 21
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