It has been more than six years since that terrible day when a rampaging gunman stormed the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, killing five of our friends and colleagues. The shock, terror and sense of loss may have faded somewhat over time, but none of them have gone entirely. And so when we look to make sense of that assault of June 28, 2018, the deadliest single attack on journalists in this nation’s history, the one comfort is to know that they did not die in vain — that their sacrifice has called attention to the vital work of journalism and the risks that reporters, editors, photographers and others face each day. The more Americans are made aware of this noble enterprise and its associated challenges, the better for all.

Recently, the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation released preliminary sketches of a Fallen Journalists Memorial to be built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., that will honor not only Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters but other news professionals who have lost their lives in service. That includes Michael Kelly, the former Baltimore Sun reporter and The Atlantic editor, who was killed covering the Iraq War in 2003. The design cleverly uses 300 glass pieces — many look something between an oversized ice cube and a giant prism — representing the work of journalists to piece together disconnected events sometimes obscured by opaqueness. The Chicago-based architect behind the design, John Ronan, has said he wanted to explore the themes of transparency and light. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

This is not the first time our fallen comrades have been remembered. The Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial in Annapolis has served as a fitting tribute to our nation’s First Amendment values. But bringing this message to the National Mall and doing so at a time when the profession is under near-constant attack from certain political camps (former President Donald Trump has described the press as the “enemy of the American people” and purveyors of “fake news”) makes this a particularly welcome and timely enterprise.

Journalists are not perfect. We are not omniscient. We make mistakes. But those who labor in our field, whether in Annapolis or Baltimore or foreign war zones, believe in the value of seeking out the truth and sharing it with others despite the risks involved. May that always be so.