Sunday, September 15, 2019

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken on September 3, 2008. That day, our neighbors surprised Mattie with this huge cowboy doggie, named Dandy Dog Dakota. The dog was designed specifically for Mattie, and the artist even signed the bottom of the dog's shoe. Look at the next photo below. 

It says, Phebe Phillips (the artist).... Dandy Dog Dakota "All bark... no cattle." For Matthew Brown.... "The bravest cowboy we know."









Quote of the day: The 184 souls lost in the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, when hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, were mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters, co-workers, flight crew, friends, and patriots. ~ Pentagon Memorial Website (https://pentagonmemorial.org)

We have always wanted to visit the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Today we finally did it. I would have to say it is a haunting place to visit. I would have to say that typically cemeteries or memorial areas are lined with trees and grass and a lot of greenery. The 9/11 memorial is nothing of the kind. It is not a peaceful place to visit, which I think is the point. You immediately feel like you are on hallowed ground as soon as you enter the memorial. I believe how the architects designed the memorial, that the intention was to serve as a constant reminder to all who visit it and pay respects to the 184 victims, that WE MUST NEVER FORGET. 

The 184 Memorial Units within the Pentagon Memorial are located on the age line according to the year the victim was born.  The age lines, denoted by stainless steel strips that cross the Memorial, begin at the zero line..... spanning from the youngest victim, three-year-old Dana Falkenberg, to the oldest, John D. Yamnicky, 71, a Navy veteran (both on Flight 77).

Given that September 11th was this week, there were wreaths at the entrance to the memorial. These wreaths were from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the white wreath said, "We remember AA flight crews."

Near the wreaths are the listing of all 184 people who died at the Pentagon. This includes the 59 people on the flight and 125 people who were working in the Pentagon. What struck me immediately was the youngest victim was only 3  years old. She, her sister, and parents all died on that flight. 

I highly recommend visiting the 9/11 website. On it, you can find this interactive map. Using your phone, you can click on each of the memorial benches/units and get a bio on each of the 184 people who died. It is very meaningful and an excellent way to preserve the memories of the victims. 

As soon as you enter the actual memorial, you see on the ground September 11, 2001, 9:37am (the time the plane crashed into the Pentagon).

This is the memorial unit for Dana Falkenberg, the girl who was 3 years old. Under where the flowers are, you can see Dana's name. Can you see the metal plaque in the water? It lists the names of her mother, father, and sister.... all died on Flight 77. 

The units (or benches) in the memorial face one of two directions. Those like Dana, the bench seems to be aiming away from the Pentagon. Meaning you see her name and look up and view the sky and the direction the plane was taking before hitting the Pentagon.

Whereas, the 125 Memorial Units honoring the victims inside the Pentagon, you see the victim’s name and the Pentagon in the same view. 

I did not take this photo. I got it off of Google images. Visitors are asked not to photograph the Pentagon. I am including this photo here, so you understand what I am saying about the units facing toward or away from the Pentagon. 

Keep in mind that the victims are not buried here. Just like at Ground Zero in NYC, there were not bodies to bury. Each Memorial Unit is a cantilevered bench, a lighted pool of flowing water, and a permanent tribute, by name, to each victim, in one single element.  Each memorial bench is made of stainless steel and inlaid with smooth granite.

This memorial unit recognizes the life of Rodney Dickens, who was only 11 years old. No family members appear to be on the flight with him, like with Dana. I can't even imagine the fear this child faced alone on that flight.

Within the Pentagon Memorial, 85 Crape Myrtles are clustered around the Memorial Units, but are not dedicated to any one victim.  

The units honoring victims on board Flight 77 face the direction of the plane’s approach to the Pentagon, while those reading the names of Pentagon victims face the plane’s point of impact on the Pentagon’s south facade.

Given the recent anniversary, there were many flowers around the memorial. On one unit, this bouquet was left. The note says,

The Trofimoff's of Milwaukee, WI will never forget how bright the lives of these Americans were, and will continue to shine.

I would have to say that visiting this Memorial is a haunting experience. While there, we started talking with two couples from North Carolina. They were in town visiting and wanted to see the Memorial. When they found out we lived in DC, they wanted to hear our recollection of the day and what we saw the months thereafter. The conclusion we came to is whether we were here or you just saw it on TV, WE MUST NEVER FORGET what happened. The Memorial illustrated to me how families were permanently impacted and the gravel all around us was a rough and unsettling reminder that thousands of people died on 9/11, and their lives should not be forgotten.