The families of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon on September 11th got their first look at a memorial that will be dedicated to their loved ones.

It's a simple memorial.

184 benches for 184 victims.

For those from the Pentagon -- they face the Pentagon. For those onboard the plane -- they face the sky.

Tom Heidenberger set off to find the bench that honors his wife Michele -- one of the flight attendants on Flight 77 -- and when he found it, stopped cold.

"It's beautiful," he said.

It's been a long time coming for the families. Seven years of raising money, debating design, pushing for completion.

The work continues. From the meticulous inscription of the names...to the irrigation work that will turn each memorial bench into its own glowing light pool.

"To see all the hard work, some of the frustration in trying to visualize this, it's really something else," said Heidenberger.

At her husband Eddie's bench, Rosemary Dillard wanted to look forward, but couldn't help but look back.

"I had to drive by here. And everything was on fire. And I knew my husband was on board that airplane," she said.

She admits the last thing the memorial brings her is peace. But what it does bring is hope -- that visitors will see those shiny steel benches, and remember.

The $22 million Pentagon Memorial Park is set to open this September 11th.

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