Stone taken from the rubble of the Pentagon and laid here as a thresholdmarking the date and time terrorists flew American Airlines Flight 77
into the Pentagon killing 59 passengers and 125 Pentagon personnel.
Today, on the seventh anniversary of the attacks on New York, Washington, and Shanksville, the first 9/11 memorial was dedicated this morning before a crowd of 15,000 family, friends, and colleagues of those killed on AA Flight 77 and in the Pentagon that day. This evening, at 7:00 p.m., the memorial opened to the public.
Flight attendants gather at the bench of a colleagueI arrived just before 7:00 and left a little after 8:00. Hundreds of people are pouring into this new memorial and paying their respects. These are just a few of the pictures I took this evening.
Scott PowellThis post is dedicated to the memory of Scott Powell and all of the men and women who died on September 11. Scott was the twin brother of Art Powell, a colleague of my sister, Janeen. Janeen and Art worked together at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission annex in Alexandria, Virginia. They, along with their colleagues, lost friends and family members both in New York and Washington that day. Janeen couldn't join me this evening, but she asked me to find Scott's bench.
The bench of Capt. Lawrence D. Getzfred, USNTo read the stories of those in Washington, D.C., and its neighboring towns and communities who were personally touched by the events of September 11th, click on the links below.
Their Lives Were Shaped by Loss
From Families' Grief, a Symbol of Loss and Hope
The Nation's First 9/11 Memorial: A Photo Essay
The Healing Field : Nearly 3,000 flags commemorating the lives lost on 9/11Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 09.11.08
11 comments:
Thank you Janet for taking the photo. I never knew Scott, but I knew his brother Art and he is a gentleman. I believe Scott was much like Art. To all of those who grieve today for your loved ones, God be with you.
Great photos! I'm hoping to see this when I'm in DC in December (won't have time in October when I'm there for the 3 Day!).
My BIL worked across the street from the Pentagon back then, and I remember talking with him on IM when suddenly he typed "just saw a bomb go off at the Pentagon!" and then he was gone - he had seen the explosion out the office window and thought it was a bomb, not a plane.
It's amazing how the memories of that day are still so crystal clear, but I can hardly remember things that happened a few months ago.
Nice photos. I wish I could have been there.
Another powerful post . Thank you for capturing this event so that we could all share it.
Great shots and commentary, as always. I hope to see the memorial soon, maybe as early as this weekend.
All powerful shots, but especially the flags! Thanks for sharing the experience with us.
This is a very moving tribute. The horror of it is still very fresh in my mind - i don't think it will ever fade.
Great photos.
JDK: I'm glad I caught your text. I was getting ready to leave when I checked my phone and read your message. An Air Force sergeant who was nearly 7' tall (no exaggeration), helped me find Scott's bench. His are the last pictures I took yesterday.
Cowbark: It's a definitely must-visit when you're in Washington. It's so easy to get, too, as well. Its location and access is unprecedented for the military, but they've done a nice job of making it easily-accessible by the public. The best thing to do is take Metro. It's a beautiful memorial and one that will be a place of peace and hope for all who visit, I believe.
NG: It was quite moving. When you get there, I know you'll enjoy it.
Virginia: You're welcome.
Bernie: It's worth the visit. If you drive down from Middletown, park over at Pentagon City and walk over. It's about a 10 minute walk and worth every step. (I say that for you, because I think they're doing track work on the Blue/Yellow line this weekend. Check WMATA for details.)
Maya: You're welcome! I liked the flags, too. Some guy in Sandy, Utah, started these Healing Fields in his town after 9/11 and it's spread. You can read more about it here and here.
Jules: No, I think you're right. Our memories of that day will remain with us forever.
Mo: Thank you.
Other than the tragedy and lives lost, we will probably never know what happened on 9/11.
Traffic was also horrendous when the bus station heading to Virginia was moved to the Pentagon City Mall from the Pentagon.
Isadora: Are you in town? We should meet up. Anyway--I wondered about traffic and the flow of buses. All I could picture was horrible gridlock and confusion near Pentagon City. I'm sure it was an ungodly mess!
I hope, though, that people were able to keep it all in perspective. As for the events of 9/11 themselves, I think you're right: we'll never know all the details behind that dreadful day.
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