A Statue Remembers the Pentagon Victim | Anchorage News

0:00Twenty-five years ago, Petty Officer First-class Ronald Hemmanway was at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He was one of 185 people killed when a hijack plane struck the building. His remains were never recovered, making him one of five victims from the Pentagon attack whose bodies were not found. A statue now stands outside Wacilla High School, Hemmanway's Alma Mater. It's a battlefield cross, representing boots, a rifle, and a helmet stacked together, with flowers placed inside one of the boots. This memorial honors Hemmanway, an alumnus who graduated in 1982 before joining the Navy as an electronics technician. Many students at the high school pass by the statue daily, though some admit they don't know its full story. For those who weren't alive during the attacks, like senior Ricky Crumb, the memorial serves as a connection to a significant historical event. Her father, who was in law school that day, remembers the shock and numbness he felt, highlighting the different ways generations experience that.

1:02Tragedy Despite the generational gap in direct experience, both students and parents feel the memorial helps bridge understanding. A prom's reflection on how quickly lives can change, and the desire for people to simply go home. The statue itself is treated with a unique respect, with a clear space around it, and visiting teams and communities alike show a difference. Students in a plant science class even grow flowers specifically for the memorial, ensuring it remains a living tribute. This ongoing care demonstrates how the statue continues to serve as a poignant reminder and a symbol of remembrance for the Wastilla High School, Community, Anchorage News. Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters, I'm Corey with the Story.