Pentagon Memorial Plans

Family members and officials, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, gathered on June 15, 2006, outside of the Pentagon for the unveiling of a limestone marker at the site of a memorial for the 184 people killed in the Sept. 11 2001, attack on the Pentagon.

Children stand before the Pentagon Memorial marker on June 15, 2006. Family members and officials gathered for the unveiling of a limestone marker at the site of a memorial for the 184 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon.

"Light Benches," the winning design model for the Pentagon Memorial site, was designed by by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman. The memorial park features 184 benches, each dedicated to a victim of the attack. Dedication is scheduled for fall 2008.

The Pentagon Memorial Park features 184 benches, each dedicated to a victim of the Washington attacks. The field is organized as a timeline of victims' ages, from 3 to 71. The western edge of the site is defined with an age wall that grows in height relative to the age represented by the rows of memorial benches.

A closeup of one of the memorial benches planned for the Pentagon National Memorial.

Co-designer Julie Beckman, right, introduces her winning design, "Light Benches," as partner Keith Kaseman looks on during the announcement of the Pentagon Memorial design selection on March 3, 2003, at the briefing room of the Pentagon.

The field of memorial units is arranged as a timeline of the victim's ages, from 3 to 71. The western edge of the site is defined with an "age wall" that grows an inch in height relative to the age represented by the rows of memorial units.

Elegant in its self-supporting form, the memorial unit is at once a glowing light pool, a cantilevered bench and a place for the permanent inscription of each victim's name.

The Pentagon Memorial will be built on the southwest corner of the Pentagon Reservation and adjacent to Route 27. The 1.93-acre site will pay tribute to the 184 lives lost in the Pentagon attack and on American Airlines Flight 77.