Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

When we remember the horrific events of September 11, 2001, we usually think of planes crashing into the Twin Towers in New York City. That surely is the first thing that comes to mind for me.

But we must not forget 2 more planes were hijacked that day. United Airlines flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, PA when the passengers fought back and forced the hijackers to crash the plane, killing all 44 passengers and crew. The hijackers of American Airlines flight 77 deliberately crashed their hijacked plane in to the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US armed forces. All 59 passengers on the plane and another 125 people in the building were killed that day.

To honor and remember the 184 lost souls, a memorial was constructed near the Pentagon’s west wall, adjacent to where fight 77 originally crashed into the building. The beautifully landscaped memorial is designed by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman.

There are 184 illuminated benches at the memorial. One for each of the victims. Each bench is engraved with the name of one of the victims. The benches are arranged in rows by year of birth of the victims. The youngest victim at age 3 was born in 1998, the oldest victim was born in 1930. The victims that were on board of flight 77 have their bench facing the Pentagon. Those who rushed out of the Pentagon in an attempt to rescue victims have their bench facing away from the building. Walkways border the exact path of the American Airlines plane as it plowed into the building.

I sat down next to the 1970 marker—the year of my birth—with mixed emotions. I felt incredibly sad at the loss of life. The idea that the victims of the horrible attack were robed of living a full life is just heartbreaking.

At the same time, I felt happy to be alive and healthy. I felt grateful for not having to endured the hardships that the victims and their families had to endure. I am grateful I still get to travel the world and enjoy freedom, happiness and good food. All things I do not take for granted. All things the terrorists took away from those 184 unfortunate souls at the Pentagon on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

I still have to make my way to Shanksville, PA to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial. That will happen some day, I am sure. For now, I am grateful that I got to visit the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on my 2025 trip to Washington DC.