09.24
We visited the memorial at the Pentagon to those 184 people that died when the 757 airplane crashed into the side of the building at 9:37AM on September 11, 2001.
There is a field of memorials, resembling the wings of an aircraft over a lighted pool. One for each person killed. Fifty-Nine of the memorials are facing the Pentagon, representing those on the airplane. One Hundred Twenty-Five of the memorials are facing away from the Pentagon, representing those killed in the building.
The memorials are arranged by birth year. When we enter the memorial field, there are just a few of the lighted memorials, those were the children, just a few years of life, snuffed out too soon. The memorials cluster together as the birth years increase.
The section of the Pentagon that was destroyed is seen here to the left side of the building. The stone is lighter than the rest of the edifice.
We came after sunset, and the moon was rising.
I was deeply moved, having to hold back the tears of grief.
Beautiful, Uncle Matt. So glad you got there at the perfect time.