The Pentagon is a symbol of America's military power and the highest levels of decision-making capabilities of the country. It is the world's largest office building and is home to the United States Department of Defense. Recently, the NOVA Bulls Organization and I had the opportunity to visit and tour this historic site. The tour highlighted the construction era of the Pentagon, its role during the World War II and Vietnam Era, and the impressive 9/11 Memorial. In this blog post, I would like to share our experiences and provide an in-depth insight into the rich history of the Pentagon.

The Pentagon was built in just sixteen months, from 1941 to 1943, during the height of World War II. The building is five stories high and has five concentric rings. Each ring is named A through E and houses offices and workspaces for the military's top officials. The architect responsible for designing the Pentagon was George Bergstrom. The Pentagon's construction was a massive undertaking and employed over 13,000 workers. During our tour, we were able to see the massive scale of the building, including the large central courtyard known as the "ground zero." We were amazed at the sheer size of the building and astounded by the structure's architectural beauty.

After seeing the construction and the architecture of the Pentagon, we moved on to learn about its role during various critical periods in American history. We saw exhibits featuring the Vietnam War, World War II Era, including authentic artifacts, weapons, and photos from that time. Each exhibit tells a story of courage, sacrifice and bravery. The displays showcased the soldiers' experiences on the battlefield, their daily lives, and the challenges they faced. These stories left a profound impact on every member of our group, and we felt a deep sense of gratitude and pride for our brave servicemen and women.

One of the most impressive exhibits was the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. The exhibit honors the 184 people who lost their lives when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The Memorial features a wall inscribed with the names of the victims who lost their lives in the attack. The wall faces the crash site and their names are arranged in chronological order and age. The Memorial is a solemn place that evokes emotions of sadness, loss, and respect and reminds us of the brutality of the terrorist attack of that fateful day.

After seeing the exhibits, our group took a break and had a tasty lunch in the food court. The food court offered various cuisine options, and we enjoyed both sweet and savory delicacies. The group members filled up on nutritious food and took a moment to absorb the day's experiences. We bonded over our shared experiences and discussed the historical significance of our fabulous tour.

The NOVA Bulls organization and I had an astonishing time exploring the rich history of the Pentagon. The tour was insightful, and we left the place with a great sense of pride and admiration for our brave servicemen and women. We were honored to be part of a historic place that symbolizes the National Defense of the United States. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mackenzie Jackson for arranging the tour, and we hope more people get a chance to visit this iconic American landmark. The experience was both educational and emotional, and we left with a newfound appreciation of the country's history and the brave individuals who have safeguarded its interests.