P9112951 On September 11, 2008, the Pentagon dedicated a new memorial in honor of the 184 people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The memorial opened to the public that night at 1900 (7 PM). Kate, Aurora and I arrived at the Pentagon around 2030 (8:30 PM). The United States Navy musicians were just finishing up the dedication ceremonies when we got there. P9112951
P9112954 My intention for the entire evening was to visit the memorial bench dedicated to Aerographer's Mate First Class (AG1) Edward T. Earhart (United States Navy). Though it was for a short period, I was stationed with AG1 Earhart when he was an AGAN then AG3 in Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i. I do remember him, and seeing the bench and the flag on the Pentagon where the plane hit made for an emotional experience. As far as I know, AG1 Earhart was one of two Aerographer's Mates to die when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon. P9112954
P9112956 AG1 Earhart's bench from a different angle. P9112956
P9112957 Not far from AG1 Earhart's bench is the bench dedicated to Aerographer's Mate Second Class (AG2) Matthew M. Flocco (United States Navy). AG2 Flocco was a couple years younger than AG1 Earhart. Both of them were at an age that from the way the design of the memorial was made, that they both were on opposite sides of the path that American Airlines Flight 77 took as it hit the Pentagon. P9112957
P9112959 A closer view of the point where the plane hit the Pentagon - highlighted by the larger United States flag. P9112959
P9112961 Another shot with more of the memorial benches in the frame. The design of the memorial is such that if you are looking at the name on the end of the bench and you can see the Pentagon, that means that person was in the Pentagon when they died. If you are looking away from the Pentagon (toward where the plane came from) to read the name, then that person was on American Airlines Flight 77 when they died. P9112961
P9112965 Final photo of the evening of the dedication is this one of the 50 State flags on display on the right side of the stage with the dedication emblem above and the words P9112965
PC074215 On December 7, 2008, I stopped by the Pentagon Memorial after I went to the Navy Memorial for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies. The flag was flying at half-mast at the Pentagon Memorial, as is dictated for the Pearl Harbor remembrance. PC074215
PC074216 The Pentagon Memorial marker. PC074216
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PC074218 This and the next couple are all the names of those lost on September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77. PC074218
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PC074222 Zoomed in photos for AG1 Edward T. Earhart, USN, and... PC074222
PC074223 ...AG2 Matthew M. Flocco, USN. PC074223
PC074224 Photo of the Pentagon Memorial benches as I enter the site. PC074224
PC074227 Daytime view of the memorial bench dedicated to Aerographer's Mate First Class (AG1) Edward T. Earhart (United States Navy) with the Pentagon in the background. PC074227
PC074228 Daytime view of the memorial bench dedicated to Aerographer's Mate Second Class (AG2) Matthew M. Flocco (United States Navy) with the Pentagon in the background. PC074228
PC074229 Another view of the memorial benches. PC074229
PC074231 A view toward the United States Air Force Memorial (distant background) with the memorial benches in the foreground. The names visible on the front of the benches are those that were on American Airlines Flight 77. PC074231
PC074233 One more parting photo of the Pentagon Memorial with the Pentagon in the background. PC074233

This album has 22 items in total    |    Album was updated 12/22/08 9:47 PM    |    Generated by Jalbum 8.0, custom skin ExhibitPlus 1.5


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