One of the side benefits of working at the Pentagon is being able to interact regularly with the Pentagon Tour Guides – an amazing group of young men and women who spend their days guiding visitors through this historic building. Because the Army Public Affairs officers are in the side of the building that was hit on Sept. 11, several times each day I’ll see them escorting a group to the Pentagon Memorial Chapel. I’ve tried to be as friendly as possible, because you never know when you’re going to need to schedule a last minute tour for a group of visiting family members.
Today two new guides were practicing their lines in the hallways just this morning - when new guides arrive they have a short amount of time to memorize an entire script of details about the building, as well as learn to walk through the entire Pentagon complex backwards. No small feat in a building where many people have trouble keeping things straight when they walk normally. I always try to wish them luck and can’t wait for the day very soon when I’ll see them escorting their own group.
So, here’s a shout-out to the amazing Pentagon tour guides working today! If you’ve ever been on a Pentagon tour, drop us a line and let us know your favorite fact or story. I’d also love to hear from some veteran Pentagon Tour Guides to tell us about their experiences!
Interested in scheduling a tour? Please visit http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/ to schedule a tour for a future visit or take a virtual tour of the Pentagon.
