WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 2011 -- The Washington Field Office, together with the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington, hosted a ceremony 28 April, to commemorate the permanent placement of a piece of stone recovered from the Pentagon following Sept. 11, 2001.
The limestone block, weighing 800-pounds, presented to the Washington Field Office was part of a large stone block that was recovered from the west facade of the Pentagon, where a group of terrorists crashed a plane into the building nearly ten years ago. The stone was removed from the Pentagon and taken to Fort McNair, where the JFHQ NCR/MDW had the stone cut into pieces for the purpose of presenting them to agencies that assisted in the September 11 response and recovery efforts.
"The relationship we share with the Military District of Washington, Arlington County Fire, and other first responders was formed long before that fateful day," said James McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIAca,!a,,cs Washington Field Office. Aca,!A"In the years since, these bonds have grown as one of the few positive legacies of September 11. The FBI is stronger now because of these partnerships. What emerged from that scene at the Pentagon ten years ago should instill in every American today a sense of confidence in the skill, courage and keen coordination of our NationAca,!a,,cs law enforcement and first responders.Aca,!A?
Aca,!A"This stone serves as a reminder of the past and is a tribute to the injured and the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon nearly ten years ago,Aca,!A? said Maj. Gen. Karl R. Horst, JFHQ-NCR/MDW commanding general. Aca,!A"Today we remember how our partners at the Bureau reacted with extraordinary heroism when Aca,!" without warning Aca,!" they were called upon to perform their duty in the midst of an unimaginable act of terrorism. This stone is a symbol of the powerful bonds that exist between our interagency partners in the National Capital Region and the Department of Defense Aca,!" a partnership and a commitment to serve the American people that no adversary can destroy.Aca,!A?
The plaque presented by the JFHQ-NCR/MDW to the Washington Field Office reads: Aca,!A"This Pentagon Stone is presented to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in memory of those who lost their lives and the heroes who responded on 11 September 2001, and in recognition of our Aca,!A"partnershipAca,!A? and shared responsibility to serve the American People.Aca,!A?
The speakers at the ceremony included (in order): Mr. Michael Rolince, Retired FBI, (Section Chief, Counterterrorism Division, FBI Headquarters on 9/11); Deputy Assistant Director John G. Perren, Criminal Investigation Division, FBI Headquarters (Supervisory Special Agent for the WFOAca,!a,,cs Joint Terrorism Task Force on 9/11); Major General Karl R. Horst, Joint Force Headquarters, National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington; Assistant Director in Charge James W. McJunkin, FBI Washington Field Office.
In addition to the FBI Washington Field Office, another Aca,!EoePentagon StoneAca,!a,,c has been presented to the Arlington County Fire Department and another will be presented to the Fire Department of New York City at a ceremony scheduled May 6 at Fort Hamilton in New York. A fourth piece of stone will be displayed by the JFHQ-NCE/MDW in a place of honor at Fort McNair.
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