[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 36 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[Pages 1197-1198]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Dedication Ceremony for the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in 
Arlington, Virginia

September 11, 2008

    Thank you all. Mr. Vice President; Secretary Gates; Madam Speaker; 
Justices of the Supreme Court; members of my Cabinet, administration; 
Members of Congress; Admiral Mullen and the Joint Chiefs; Secretary 
Donald Rumsfeld, a first-responder on September the 11th, 2001; 
directors of the Pentagon Memorial Fund--Mr. Chairman, congratulations; 
families and friends of the fallen; distinguished guests; fellow 
citizens: Laura and I are honored to be with you.
    Seven years ago at this hour, a doomed airliner plunged from the 
sky, split the rock and steel of this building, and changed our world 
forever. The years that followed have seen justice delivered to evil men 
and battles fought in distant lands. But each day on this year--each 
year on this day, our thoughts return to this place. Here, we remember 
those who died. And here, on this solemn anniversary, we dedicate a 
memorial that will enshrine their memory for all time.
    Building this memorial took vision and determination, and Americans 
from every corner of our country answered the call. Two young architects 
in New York City came up with the design. A foundry near St. Louis cast 
the steel. An Iraqi immigrant in Illinois gave the metal its luster. And 
citizens from across our Nation made contributions large and small to 
build this graceful monument.
    The Pentagon Memorial will stand as an everlasting tribute to 184 
innocent souls who perished on these grounds. The benches here bear each 
of their names. And beneath each bench is a shimmering pool filled with 
the water of life, a testament to those who were taken from us and to 
their memories that will live on in our hearts.
    For the families and friends of the fallen, this memorial will be a 
place of remembrance. Parents will come here to remember children who 
boarded Flight 77 for a field trip and never emerged from the wreckage. 
Husbands and wives will come here to remember spouses who left for work 
one morning and never returned home. People from across our Nation will 
come here to remember friends and loved ones who never had the chance to 
say goodbye.
    A memorial can never replace what those of you mourning a loved one 
have lost. We pray that you will find some comfort amid the peace of 
these grounds. We pray that you will find strength in knowing that our 
Nation will always grieve with you.
    For all our citizens, this memorial will be a reminder of the 
resilience of the American spirit. As we walk among the benches, we will 
remember there could have been many more lives lost. On a day when 
buildings fell, heroes rose. Pentagon employees ran into smoke-filled 
corridors to guide their friends to safety. Firefighters rushed up the 
stairs of the World Trade Center as the towers neared collapse. 
Passengers aboard Flight 93 charged the cockpit and laid down their 
lives to spare countless others. One of the worst days in America's 
history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans' history. We'll always 
honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge 
that we will never forget their sacrifice.
    We also honor those who raised their hands and made the noble 
decision to defend our Nation in a time of war. When our enemies 
attacked the Pentagon, they pierced the rings of this building, but they 
could not break the resolve of the United States Armed Forces. Since 9/
11, our troops have taken the fight to the terrorists abroad so we do 
not have to face them here at home. Thanks to the brave men and women 
and all those who work to keep us safe, there has not been another 
attack on our soil in 2,557 days.
    For future generations, this memorial will be a place of learning. 
The day will come when most Americans have no living memory of the 
events of September the 11th. When they visit this memorial, they will 
learn that the 21st century began with a great struggle between the 
forces of freedom and the forces of terror. They will learn that this 
generation of Americans met its duty. We did not tire; we did not 
falter; and we did not fail. They will learn that freedom prevailed 
because the desire for liberty lives in the heart of every man, woman, 
and child on Earth.
    We can be optimistic about the future because we've seen the 
character and courage of those who defend liberty. We have been

[[Page 1198]]

privileged to live amongst those who have volunteered to spread the 
foundation of peace and justice, which is freedom.
    Seven years ago this morning, police officer Cecil Richardson was on 
duty here at the Pentagon. He saw the terror that day with his own eyes. 
He says on some nights he can still smell the burning metal and smoke. 
Not long ago he wrote me, saying, ``I remember the reasons we fight. I 
remember the losses we felt, and I remember the peace we will have.''
    That day of peace will come. And until it does, we ask a loving God 
to watch over our troops in battle. We ask Him to comfort the families 
who mourn, and we ask Him to bless our great land.
    And now it's my honor to dedicate the Pentagon Memorial.

Note: The President spoke at 10:08 a.m. at the Pentagon. In his remarks, 
he referred to Adm. Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of 
Staff; former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld; James J. Laychak, 
president and chairman, board of directors, Pentagon Memorial Fund; 
architects Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman; and Abe Yousif, owner, 
Buchtel Metal Finishing Corp. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.