Indiana limestone used to rebuild damaged Pentagon

Two local limestone companies provided a helping hand this summer by putting their other work aside to help rebuild the damaged wall of the Pentagon.\nDubbed the "Phoenix Project," the $700 million restoration makes use of over 2.7 million pounds of Variegated Clear limestone. Over 18,000 square feet of stone was cut into 700 pieces and then transported in 48 flatbed trucks.\nSince the original 1940 construction of the Pentagon used Indiana limestone, officials sought a company that could provide the same services.\nBloomington-based limestone quarry Independent Limestone Co. provided limestone similar to the original, and limestone fabricator Bybee Stone Co. of Ellettsville, Ind. used gang-saws, which were used in the original construction, to work with the stone. When both companies were asked to be a part of the project in late October, they dropped what they were working on and started right away.\n"At first, it was a daunting task to get it done in the time frame they wanted," said Bybee Stone Co. President Will Bybee. "But I think everybody who works here was very proud to be on the project. We were lucky to have the chance to do a positive towards such a negative act."\nIn the past, Bybee's company, in conjunction with Independent Limestone, has renovated or built many other landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol Building, the National Cathedral and the Smithsonian Institute, but never has a project generated this much national attention.\n"It is an honor to have Indiana limestone on this prominent building," said Independent Limestone General Manager Harry Cummins.\nWhen the limestone exterior wall was completed this June, a special ceremony was held in which a time capsule was placed in the building. The bronze box was filled with memorabilia from the attack including a plaque with the names of the 184 victims. \nBybee will be in attendance for the hour-long ceremony being held at 9 a.m. today. During the ceremony, addresses will be given by President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Myers. Also as a part of the event, a moment of silence will be held at 8:43 a.m., the time when the airliner crashed.\nThe facility will not be completely workable by the anniversary. The majority of the building is made out of poured concrete. This part of the renovation will be completed sometime in the spring.\nThe entire Phoenix Project cost around $700 million dollars to complete, but Bybee said money was not a motivator.\n"A lot of guys here would do it for free," Bybee said, "We're all patriotic people"