Sept. 11 Pentagon Memorial Observance Ceremony

Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley will conduct  a live virtual observance ceremony Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in honor of the 184 people killed in the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.  The Pentagon observance ceremony is not open to the public.  The ceremony will be livestreamed on defense.gov.

Due to DOD Health Protection Condition Bravo restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, press coverage will be limited in numbers.  For TV/video, this is a pool event and only the pool video cameras will be allowed in the memorial. 

The first press event will be at the main press station in the 9/11 Memorial at sunrise (6:47 a.m. EDT) just prior to the main ceremony’s start. At that time, the American Flag will be unfurled down the side of the Pentagon.  Press coverage of the flag unfurling ceremony is limited to 12 press — not including the network pool camera crew – who must be on the credentialed list.  Slots will be filled on a first-come basis, but only one per outlet.  Show time for press interested in covering the flag unfurling is 5:30 a.m.  Additional details regarding security screening, parking, etc., will be provided to those on the credentialed list.

Press coverage of the main observance ceremony is limited to nine press — not including the network pool camera crew – who must be on the credentialed list.  Slots will be filled on a first-come basis, but only one per outlet.  Show time for press interested in covering the main observance ceremony is 7:30 a.m.  Additional details regarding security screening, parking, etc., will be provided to those on the credentialed list.

Media interested in covering this event must RSVP by 4 p.m. EDT today, Thursday, Sept. 10,  with name, outlet, position, email and phone number by contacting Sue Gough at [email protected].  Please indicate whether you want to cover the flag unfurling or the main observance ceremony, or both.  Ms. Gough will notify those who are on the credentialed list.

Families will not be present at the observance ceremony; they will be visiting the memorial in small groups throughout the day.  Press coverage of family visits is not permitted.  Please note that the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial remains closed to the public; no press will be allowed on the memorial outside of the ceremony events.