A Stunning Memorial (Pentagon Memorial (Arlington, USA))

Member Name: Surfbabe13

Product:	Pentagon Memorial (Arlington, USA)
Date:	20/02/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to reach, Easy to understand

Disadvantages: None

The Pentagon Memorial was designed and constructed to commemorate the 184 people who were killed when American Airlines flight 77 smashed into the south west face of the Pentagon on September 11th 2001.

I visited there on the 28th December 2008, only weeks after it first opened and was struck by how simplistic yet symbolic it was.

The memorial is in fact 184 memorials - every person killed has their own memorial, which is shaped to suggest a part of an aeroplane (my initial interpretation), but is in fact a cantilevered bench and the whole thing is cohesive and respectful.

The site for the memorial is in front of the wing of the Pentagon that sustained the hit and this is the only place that you are able to take photographs with the Pentagon in the background. ( I was told off for taking a photograph of the Pentagon sign on the Metro!!!).

It covers an area of several acres. The memorial is in fact set out as a timeline with each memorial being set on the year of birth of that person. The oldest person was 71 and the youngest just 3 years old. As you step into the area a plinth set into the ground has the date 11th September 2001 engraved on it.. This plinth is made from some of the charred stone, reclaimed from the Pentagon.

The time lines are set at an angle to the building - at the same angle as the plane ploughed into it. Each year is marked with a stone at the end with the date on - but only if there is a memorial on it. The memorials themselves at first made no sense to me, but a very helpful gentleman who was sweeping gravel explained it.

Each memorial faces either towards or away from the Pentagon. If you stand at the end of the memorial reading the name, and you are facing the Pentagon, then that person was in the Pentagon when the plane hit. If you are facing the sky (ie; your back is towards the Pentagon) then the person was on the aeroplane. It is simple once you now how it works.

The Memorials are made of cantilevered steel with a reflecting pool underneath, giving the impression of a continuous stream. This is illuminated at night. In addition the memorials of those on the Aeroplane have further names inscribed in the pool to show the link between family members who were travelling together.

The whole area is gravelled and planted with maple trees and of course these are still in early stages of development. The area is illuminated at night by the under pool lighting on the reflecting pools.

My family spent quite a long time wandering around here, reading the names and trying to imagine the horror of this attack. The whole memorial is a stunning tribute to those who were murdered that day. The whole area is actually very peaceful and tranquil, despite being around one of the busiest office complexes in the world. If you are in Washington DC it is a must to put on your list for places to visit not only to remember those who lost their lives, but to draw some inspiration and to drink up the peacefulness of the area. I would love to go back in a few years when the trees have matured and the memorial has lost its newness feel - I can only imagine how stunning the area will be then.

It is easy to reach by Metro - either the blue or yellow line will get you there and it is then a 15-minute walk around the building. Parking for the disabled is available by in the South Car Park.

Summary: A stunning memorial to those murdered in the Pentagon attack