The memorial wanted to capture and convey each word, emotion, relationship, character and life of the September 11th tragedy. The process creates a light structure, but in the same sense, identifies the strength of each member. The duality between strength and horror, life and death, courage and disaster, helped define the sleek yet, telling materials chosen for the structure. Brushed stainless steel was chosen for its rigid yet, soft appearance.

One man's fight never forgotten. Globe eagle, anchor, the marine emblem, gave precedence to the circular plan. Two axis define the plan and giving meaning to the plaza. As the sun changes its path, Marty's path can be recalled as the shadows fall at the beginning of the day on the axis towards the marines national headquarters and fall at dusk, on the path towards Iraq.