BTN News: On September 11, 2001, the United States faced an unimaginable tragedy when terrorists struck key landmarks, including the Pentagon, leaving a profound impact on the nation. The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, inaugurated in 2008, stands as a solemn tribute to the 184 victims who perished in the attack. Every day, workers like Salvadoran immigrant Ricardo Barahona ensure the memorial remains a place of reflection and remembrance. As the anniversary approaches, we revisit the memories of those who witnessed the events firsthand and examine how the attacks continue to shape the national consciousness, policies, and the collective memory of the American people.
Honoring the Fallen: The Daily Dedication of Ricardo Barahona
Every day, Ricardo Barahona, an immigrant from El Salvador, polishes the 184 granite benches at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, cleans the fountains, and works alongside his colleagues to maintain the site with utmost care. “That day changed everything,” Barahona recalls, reflecting on the morning of September 11, 2001, when he worked in a nearby restaurant kitchen. Just two years later, he found himself working within the Pentagon. Since 2017, Barahona has been part of the team responsible for the upkeep of the memorial, inaugurated on September 11, 2008.
Barahona remembers arriving at the Pentagon when the west wing was still under reconstruction. “You couldn’t even approach that area,” he recalls, pointing to the subtle differences in the building’s patina and materials where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed. The scars, though healed, are still visible to those who know where to look.
A Community in Shock: Witness Accounts of the Pentagon Attack
Walter Tejada, a former Arlington County Board member and the first Hispanic elected to public office in Virginia, vividly remembers the morning of September 11. Tejada was in a meeting arranging insurance for a Salvadoran festival in Arlington, when news of the attack spread. Hours later, he and his wife made their way to the Pentagon, finding an unfenced perimeter still open to the public.
“We parked by Columbia Pike, walked down, and crossed the street,” Tejada recounts. “We saw the gaping hole, smoke, and flames still smoldering. Firefighters, police, destruction everywhere.” The scene remains etched in his memory—a tragic moment that reshaped American policies, especially those affecting immigration, a deeply personal matter for him.
Guiding Through History: The Educational Role of Tour Operators
Michael Hamilton, a tour operator with The Good Comma, leads groups from Ohio to Washington, D.C., recounting the events of September 11, 2001. Hamilton was in the 10th grade when the attacks happened; his father, a military man, traveled regularly to the Pentagon. “That day, my father wasn’t in Washington,” he recalls. The message over the school intercom remains clear: “The Pentagon has been hit, and the United States is under attack.”
For Hamilton, guiding groups through sites like the Pentagon Memorial transforms history into a personal experience. “Monuments here are stories in stone,” he says. “The Pentagon Memorial is about the silent heroes, everyday people who showed up for work not knowing it would be their last day.”
The Impact on National Consciousness: Reflecting on 9/11 Two Decades Later
As the nation commemorated two decades since the 9/11 attacks, studies by organizations like the Pew Research Center explored the lasting imprint of that day on American society. The tragic events that took over 3,000 lives have significantly influenced subsequent global conflicts and policy directions.
The Pew Research study found that 69% of Americans believe the U.S. has fallen short of its post-9/11 goals, particularly in the context of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The perception of 9/11 shifts with age; many who were too young or not yet born have no personal memories, while older generations remember precisely where they were and what they were doing when the news broke.
A Day of Remembrance: Honoring the Victims and Heroes of 9/11
Every year, on September 11, ceremonies at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, and the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, honor the victims and heroes of that fateful day. Organizations formed by victims’ families and those who cleared debris continue to advocate for recognition, justice, and remembrance.
As the sound of water flows beneath the granite benches at the Pentagon Memorial, mingling with the overhead roar of planes from nearby Ronald Reagan Airport, the site remains a place of solace and reflection for all who visit. It stands as a testament to the resilience of a nation that vowed never to forget.
Conclusion: A National Promise to Remember and Learn
The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial is not just a tribute to the lives lost but also a symbol of the enduring human spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. As we listen to the stories of those who lived through that day and those who now care for this sacred ground, it reminds us of the ongoing importance of remembering, reflecting, and learning from the past to shape a more hopeful future.
