FBI Washington Field Office Receives Pentagon Stone Commemorating Response on September 11

Today, the Washington Field Office, together with the Joint Force Headquarters Military District of Washington, hosted a ceremony to commemorate the permanent placement of a piece of stone recovered from the Pentagon following September 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 façade of the Pentagon, where a group of terrorists crashed a plane into the building nearly 10 years ago. The stone was removed from the Pentagon and taken to Fort McNair, where the Joint Force Headquarters for the Military District of Washington 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 FBI’s Washington Field Office. “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 10 years ago should instill in every American today a sense of confidence in the skill, courage and keen coordination within of our nation’s law enforcement and first responders.”

“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 10 years ago,” said Karl Horst, Major General, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region. “Today we remember how our partners at the Bureau reacted with extraordinary heroism when—without warning—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—a partnership and a commitment to serve the American people that no adversary can destroy.”

The plaque presented by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington to the Washington Field Office reads: “This Pentagon Stone is presented to 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 “partnership” and shared responsibility to serve the American People.”

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 WFO’s 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, the pieces of stone are being presented to Arlington County Fire Department and the New York City Fire Department. A fourth piece of stone will be displayed by the Military District of Washington in a place of honor at Fort McNair.