The Pentagon Memorial, also known as the 9/11 Memorial, is dedicated to the 184 people killed in the Pentagon and on the American Airlines Flight 77 in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The memorial opened to the public on the 7th year anniversary of the attacks.
The Pentagon Memorial has a layout of 184 stainless steel benches, one for each person that died that day. The benches hover over individual reflecting pools that are illuminated at night with a soft greenish light. The benches are organized in rows according to the age of the person when they died, and are oriented to either face toward or away from the Pentagon depending on whether they died in the building or on the plane. Inside the Pentagon, there is a little chapel with a memorial wall at the exact point of impact. They have a daily mass in the chapel.
The best time to visit the Pentagon Memorial is at dusk when the touristic buses are leaving, the noise of the city subsides, and each bench begins to glow against the darkening sky. This dramatic effect serves to underscore the design’s message of remembrance.
From the benches, you can see where the plane crashed into the Pentagon because the stone color is different. The 9/11 Memorial is the only ground that allows photography within the Pentagon Reservation. Taking pictures at pedestrian walkways, vehicular pathways and drop-off areas is strictly prohibited.
Closest Metro Station to the Pentagon Memorial
