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Airman’s Roll Call: Pentagon Memorial unveiling

  • Published
WASHINGTON D.C. --  Sept. 11, 2001, should have been a typical Tuesday morning for most Americans, but it became a day we will never forget. Like few days in our history, most of us will remember exactly what we were doing when the news flashed across our television screens or when we heard the announcement on the radio.

As the World Trade Center burned in New York City as a result of two terrorist-hijacked aircraft crashing into them, Americans were shocked again when it was revealed that a third plane struck the west side of the Pentagon, killing 184 people, including all 59 passengers onboard.

The loss of fellow servicemen and women - as well as the passengers on the plane - devastated members of the Air Force and the country.

On the seventh anniversary of "9/11," defense officials will dedicate the Pentagon Memorial as a lasting tribute to those who died. Here are some facts to keep in mind as you reflect on the significance of that day and the memorial:

The attacks of Sept. 11 occurred 60 years to the day of the groundbreaking for the construction of the Pentagon, which took place Sept. 11, 1941.

The Pentagon Memorial - built on nearly two acres of land outside the Pentagon - includes 184 memorial benches, each dedicated to a victim. Fifty-nine of the benches face one direction for the victims who died on the plane, and the remaining 125 face the other direction for those who died in the Pentagon.

An "Age Wall" surrounds a perimeter bench around the memorial and is designed to grow in height beginning at three inches up to 71 inches above the seating surface. It represents the age in years from the youngest victim to the oldest. Each victim's name is inscribed on a bench, and the benches are arranged by age.

In all, more than 3,000 people died in the attacks of Sept. 11, and more than 4,500 servicemembers have since died fighting terrorism around the globe. Today, 201,100 servicemembers, including 26,000 Airmen, are deployed in support of the war.