DIA Memorial Wall facts for kids

The Defense Intelligence Agency Memorial Wall, also called the Patriots Memorial, is a special place in Washington, D.C.. It is found at the main building of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). This wall honors DIA employees who died while doing their important work for the country. It is for those whose deaths are not secret.

What is the DIA Memorial Wall?

The DIA Memorial Wall is a place to remember brave people. It honors those who gave their lives while serving the United States. The wall helps us remember their courage and dedication. It shows the sacrifices made by DIA members.

When was the Wall Created?

The wall was first opened on December 14, 1988. Leonard Perroots, who was the Director of the DIA at that time, led the dedication. He wanted to make sure these heroes were never forgotten.

Who is Honored on the Wall?

The DIA does not share all the rules for who gets a star on the wall. We know it honors employees who died while working for the agency. Most of the people honored died because of accidents or attacks.

Why are Some Names Not There?

Some DIA employees worked on secret missions. If their deaths are part of classified (secret) information, their names might not be on the wall. For example, Charles Dennis McKee was a DIA officer. He died in the Lockerbie bombing. His name is not on the DIA wall. However, his partner from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Matthew Gannon, is honored on the CIA Memorial Wall. This shows how some information must stay secret to protect national security.

Images for kids

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  A photo of the DIA Memorial Wall. It shows how it looked before 2004.