It was a surreal experience all around. It was cloudy, yet the sun was shining down upon us, and yet rain was falling. And it wasn’t really falling in drops; the wind was blowing in such a way that it felt more like rain was being flicked at us. My senses were on edge and it almost felt wrong to be standing at a place, peaceful now, where so many people lost their lives so recently.
The white wreath was probably placed by the president. The other wreath was placed by Arlington County. We were there to “take part” in the Arlington County wreath ceremony and moment of silence.
Each bench memorializes one victim. They are in order of year of birth.
The benches that face out (like the ones closest in this photo) represent each person that was working at the Pentagon that day. (You can see the Air Force Memorial in the background)
Each bench that faces toward the Pentagon represent each person that was on the plane.
They have a fluid, wing-like design
and underneath each one is a flowing pool of water
On the edge of each bench is the name of one victim.
If there were any family members that perished as well those names are on the silver plate that is down by Reagan’s hand.
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Before we went to the memorial we did our part on the National Day of Service. We got around 50 cans of food and delivered them to the local food bank.
Not So SAHM 
wow, thanks for sharing… I had just moved here and was here a month when it happened. I haven’t been back to see any changes downtown or near the pentagon.
That’s amazing info that I never heard before. Thanks!
That’s just my interpretation of the symbolism, but it seems to make sense! I should probably do some research to see if I’m correct… It was interesting though, and thought provoking.