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The new Air Force Memorial looks skyward to honor those who've served, past and present.
After more than a decade and a half of planning, two years of construction and, for some, a lifetime of anticipation, the Air Force Memorial was dedicated by President George W. Bush on the afternoon of October 14, 2006.
 The ceremony was open to the public and drew thousands of onlookers to the South Pentagon parking lot. President Bush spoke from a podium at the base of the memorial's three spires, which each glinted in the fall sun.
"A long blue line of heroes has defended freedom in the skies above," Bush said. "To all who have climbed sunward and chased the shouting wind, America stops to say your service and sacrifice will be remembered forever and honored in this place by the citizens of a free and grateful nation."
Various speakers, including Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, recounted the history of the youngest branch of military, as aircraft, from a replica of Orville Wright's historic biplane to an F-117A Nighthawk Stealth fighter, flew overhead. "This memorial soars. It soars in space and in the imagination," the Air Force Secretary said. "These three spires echo our values: integrity, service and excellence. ... this memorial is a brilliant symbol of freedom and the spirit of flight."
Centex Construction provided preconstruction and construction services on this $27 million high-profile memorial, located on a three-acre site at the Naval Annex next to the Pentagon. The Air Force Memorial honors the millions of men and women who distinguished themselves through service in the United States Air Force and its predecessor organizations, including the Aeronautical Division, the U.S. Signal Corps; the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps; the Division of Military Aeronautics, Secretary of War; the Army Air Service; the Army Air Corps; and the Army Air Forces.
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