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Pentagon Dedicates 9/11 Memorial First responders stand atop the Pentagon during the Pentagon Memorial Dedication Ceremony, Sept. 11, 2008, at the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building on Sept. 11, 2001, killing 59 people aboard the flight and 125 in the building. First responders are the firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers who were first on the scene that day. Defense Dept. photo by Andy Morataya, U.S. Air Force Servicemembers of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan observe a moment of silence during a remembrance ceremony for victims of 2001, Sept. 11 attacks, on Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Tim Newborn The official party watches as the first inscribed memorial unit is unveiled at the Pentagon Memorial Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen Lorin Pfiel, a Healing Field Foundation volunteer, arranges an American flag Sept. 10, 2008, in the Pentagon parking lot. Pfiel was one of about 200 volunteers who set up nearly 3,000 flags in honor of the vicitms and families of the 9/11 attacks. Defense Dept. photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden Lorin Pfiel, a Healing Field Foundation volunteer, arranges an American flag Sept. 10, 2008, in the Pentagon parking lot. Pfiel was one of about 200 volunteers who set up nearly 3,000 flags in honor of the vicitms and families of the 9/11 attacks. Defense Dept. photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden An entry stone at the Pentagon Memorial lists the names of 184 victims -- 125 Pentagon employees and 59 American Airlines Flight 77 passengers -- who lost their lives during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael J. CardenA military bugler plays as first responders salute atop the Pentagon during the Pentagon Memorial Dedication Ceremony, Sept. 11, 2008, at the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building on Sept. 11, 2001, killing 59 people aboard the flight and 125 in the building. First responders are the firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers who were first on the scene that day. Defense Dept. photo by Andy MoratayaLorin Pfiel, a Healing Field Foundation volunteer, arranges an American flag Sept. 10, 2008, in the Pentagon parking lot. Pfiel was one of about 200 volunteers who set up nearly 3,000 flags in honor of the vicitms and families of the 9/11 attacks. Defense Dept. photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. CardenLorin Pfiel, a Healing Field Foundation volunteer, arranges an American flag Sept. 10, 2008, in the Pentagon parking lot. Pfiel was one of about 200 volunteers who set up nearly 3,000 flags in honor of the vicitms and families of the 9/11 attacks. Defense Dept. photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden A member of The United States Air Force Band practices before the start of the Pentagon Memorial dedication ceremony Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by D. Myles Cullen Members of a joint service honor guard prepare to raise the flag during the Pentagon Memorial dedication ceremony, Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad McNeeley The sun rises over the main stage before the start of the Pentagon Memorial dedication ceremony Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam Stump From left, former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld current Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, President George W. Bush and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen arrive at the Pentagon Memorial dedication ceremony Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad McNeeley A U.S. sailor rings the bell as the name of each person lost at the Pentagon is read during the Pentagon Memorial dedication ceremony Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial consists of 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen

 Feature Stories

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Ensures a Nation Will Not Forget

Steve Cochran, a bagpiper of nearly three decades, walked through the memorial during the ceremony playing 'Amazing Graze.' A retired reserve Coast Guard command master chief petty officer and a retired full-time firefighter, Cochran said the memorial serves as a reminder that 'freedom is not free.' Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker IIIWASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2008 – At the Pentagon 9/11 memorial dedication this morning, more than 16,000 people gathered to remember that morning and the friends and family members they lost. Read Story

Pentagon Memorial Dedication Recalls 9/11 Sacrifices

Army Pfc. Mohamed Mustafa, Virginia Army National Guard soldier and George Mason University ROTC cadet, participates in an American flag dedication at the Pentagon Sept. 10, 2008. The dedication was headed by the Healing Field Foundation, and about 200 volunteers were on hand to place and set up nearly 3,000 American flags in the Pentagon parking lot in honor of the victims and families of the 9/11 attacks. Defense Dept. photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. CardenWASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2008 – On the seventh anniversary of the day a hijacked airliner slammed into the Pentagon, President Bush today dedicated a memorial near the crash site, calling it not only a place of remembrance, but also a reminder of the resilience of the American spirit. Read Story

'Healing Field' Takes Shape for Pentagon Memorial Dedication

Army Pfc. Mohamed Mustafa, Virginia Army National Guard soldier and George Mason University ROTC cadet, participates in an American flag dedication at the Pentagon Sept. 10, 2008. The dedication was headed by the Healing Field Foundation, and about 200 volunteers were on hand to place and set up nearly 3,000 American flags in the Pentagon parking lot in honor of the victims and families of the 9/11 attacks. Defense Dept. photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. CardenWASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2008 – As darkness fell over the nation's capital on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, about 200 volunteers busily posted nearly 3,000 full-sized American flags near the site of the Pentagon Memorial that would be officially dedicated the next morning. Read Story

 Overseas 9/11 Observances

Troops, Civilians From Various Nations Commemorate 9/11

Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 101, along with Army Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Camacho, the task force’s command sergeant major, lay a wreath at a ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Scott DavisBAGRAM AIRFIELD , Sept. 11, 2008 – Soldiers and civilians from several nations affected by the war on terror gathered beneath the towering flagpoles at the Combined Joint Task Force 101 headquarters here today to remember Sept. 11, 2001. Read Story

Troops at Camp Eggers Remember 9/11

Servicemembers of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan salute the colors at a remembrance ceremony at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Tim Newborn, Combined Security Transition Command AfghanistanKABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008 – More than 300 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians gathered today at Camp Eggers here to remember the thousands of victims who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against America. Read Story

More Stories

One hundred eighty-four joint service troops unveil the Pentagon Memorial, Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam Stump

PAYING TRIBUTE - One hundred eighty-four joint service troops unveil the Pentagon Memorial, Sept. 11, 2008. The national memorial is the first to be dedicated to those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The site contains 184 inscribed memorial units honoring the 59 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and the 125 in the building who lost their lives that day. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam Stump

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