The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) unveiled a memorial at Bolling Air Force Base on Friday September 11, 2009. A structure symbolizing an unfurled American flag was chosen to serve as a memorial to the seven members of the agency who died in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.
The American flag symbolizes national unity, resilience and strength. The memorial is built of eight stainless steel frames that encapsulate glass. Seven of the memorial’s frames are capable of rotating a full 360 degrees. Each of the rotating panels represents the life of one of the seven individuals honored in this memorial and is symbolic of our lives constantly revolving and changing.
An eighth frame remains stationary and displays an excerpt of an essay titled “During a Time of Trouble”" by James
Henry Leigh Hunt:
“Whenever evil befalls us, we ought to ask ourselves, after the first suffering, how we can turn it into good. So shall we take occasion, from one bitter root, to raise perhaps many flowers.”
Within the stainless steel frames are carved dichroic glass panels. The defining characteristic of dichroic glass is its ability to transmit and reflect light, producing a variation of color, opacity and reflective qualities. Dichroic glass was chosen to serve as another symbol of change and reflection.
At the base of the structure lies a polished piece of limestone taken from the Pentagon debris. The names of the seven DIA victims are carved into the stone with the title of the memorial “United in memory - Committed to freedom.”
Classic Glass designer Jacob Robison spoke at the event explaining the memorials symbolism and significance.
“When I was approached to design a permanent memorial for DIA’s fallen colleagues of 9/11, I felt that it was important to represent the vision and mission of the DIA community. The men and women here are committed to serving our country and its citizens. They are dedicated to defending our nation and providing its leaders with information that ensures our security,” Robison said. “With these goals in mind, I envisioned a structure that symbolized our nation’s unity and strength - a strength that the individuals we honor today represented in their devotion to their country.”
Robison added, “Designing this memorial was more than just a project to me. As a young artist it was a humbling experience to learn about the seven DIA members who were lost on 9/11, and I wanted to create something that would honor their lives and their sacrifice to our nation. I was but one person on a larger team and it is our hope that the families and friends of the victims will use this memorial to gain strength and reflect on the lives of [their] loved ones and co-workers.”
