National World War II Memorial

Very meaningful memorial because of dad’s service. Two separate sections were symbolic of the two different fronts of the wary. First thing I noticed was that the granite pillars with the states names were not in alphabetical order. Upon querying the park ranger i found out that this was THE most frequently asked question. As it turns out, the pillars are set up similar to a state dinner party. The states placement was based on their admission to the union, alternating sides. The territories were included at the farthest points (including Alaska and Hawaii) because much of the fighting took place in many of the territories and they wanted to acknowledge their contribution.

There is a data base of those who served and I was easily able to access information about dad that had been contributed by mom. New to me.

The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis.

The main part of the memorial is an elliptical plaza, in the centre of which is a pool with fountains and water jets. The pool predated the building of the monument around it, which was a source of controversy before and during construction because the World War II memorial would occupy space that had previously been available for public demonstrations and other gatherings. A rectangular ceremonial entranceway leads into the plaza. Balustrades along its sides bear 24 bronze bas-reliefs illustrating, on the north side, the war in Europe and, on the south side, the war in the Pacific. Many of the images are based on historical photographs, and both sets of panels incorporate imagery of the war effort on the home front as well. Beyond the entrance, two pavilions 43 feet (13 metres) in height mark the midpoints on the north and south sides of the plaza. They incorporate bronze baldachins, bronze columns bearing American eagles, World War II victory medals, and inscriptions noting the victories in the European and Pacific theatres of operations.

Around the perimeter of the ellipse stand 56 granite pillars, 17 feet (5.2 metres) high, that represent the U.S. states and territories of the period as well as the District of Columbia. Each is adorned with a bronze oak-and-wheat wreath and inscribed with the state or territory’s name. The pillars are linked with a bronze sculpted rope, symbolizing the country’s unified effort during the war.

Used liberally throughout the memorial are quotations from prominent military and political figures, including Gen. (later Pres.) Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, Col. Oveta Culp Hobby, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Gen. George C. Marshall, and Gen. Douglas MacArthur. At the western end of the memorial is a curved Freedom Wall bearing a field of 4,000 golden stars, each of which stands for 100 American military deaths in the war. Before it lies a granite curb inscribed “Here we mark the price of freedom.”Read more