#United States #Arlington #Pentagon Memorial Fund #Visitor Education Center #National 9/11 Memorial

Support for National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center

On February 5, 2026, the Pentagon Memorial Fund (PMF) announced a significant step in honoring the memories of those lost on September 11, 2001. President Trump's recent signing of the FY2026 Defense Bill has allocated $12 million in federal funding for the construction of a Visitor Education Center (VEC) adjacent to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. This funding is a critical milestone for a project aimed at providing a comprehensive educational experience for future generations.

Joseph Kornhoff, the Executive Director of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, expressed his gratitude for the inclusion of the funds: "This $12 million allocation marks a monumental step for a long-overdue project. Twenty-five years have passed since that day, and it is crucial that we offer a meaningful educational opportunity for young people who understand 9/11 only from history books."

The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial was the first of the three attack sites to be dedicated and opened in 2008. However, it remains the only site without a permanent educational facility to serve its nearly one million visitors each year. The forthcoming Visitor Education Center is poised to change that.

Purpose of the Visitor Education Center

The future VEC will be designed as a definitive resource featuring essential components that reflect the significance of the 9/11 attacks and their lasting impact on American society. The center will include:

• - Historic Artifacts: Preserving the physical remnants of the attack to provide context and understanding.
• - Personal Narratives: Allowing survivors and families of the victims to share firsthand accounts, ensuring their stories are heard and remembered.
• - Interactive Displays: Engaging programs centered around core themes such as service, resilience, and national unity.

The Pentagon Memorial Fund, established in 2003 by the families of the 184 victims of American Airlines Flight 77, has dedicated over two decades to collaborating with various partners at the federal, state, and private levels. Their mission centers around honoring those who perished at 9:37 AM on September 11, 2001.

Kornhoff noted further, "The mission of the Pentagon Memorial Fund has always depended on the generous contributions of public and private partners committed to the promise to 'Never Forget.' We are thankful for the support from federal policymakers in fulfilling our collective duty to honor the fallen and educate future generations to prevent such tragedies."

Moving Forward

The financial allocation included in the FY2026 Defense Appropriations Bill is crucial for laying the groundwork for the VEC. With this funding secured, the Pentagon Memorial Fund will transition into the next development phase, getting closer to breaking ground on a facility dedicated to preserving the lessons learned from the events of 9/11.

"The Visitor Education Center will ensure that the lessons of 9/11 are deeply embedded into the 'granite of time,'" Kornhoff added, highlighting the center's role in long-lasting education and remembrance.

As the project unfolds, the PMF aims to create a space where visitors can not only reflect on the past but also engage with the themes of resilience and unity that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks.

For anyone looking to learn more or contribute to the mission of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, further information can be found at www.pentagonmemorial.org.

Together, with this new funding opportunity, we take significant strides in ensuring that the memories of those we lost will be honored and their stories will resonate for generations to come.