War Memorials in Washington, DC
Posted in Historic, National Park, Travel | By Guest Author | Tags: Art, Historic, Monuments, Scenery, US Domestic Travel
By Guest Author Peggy Bradshaw
My favorite War Memorial in Washington, DC is the Korean War Veterans Memorial with its band of realistic bronze soldiers warily and wearily crossing a field headed into harm’s way. Dedicated on the 42nd anniversary of the armistice, July 27, 1995, the memorial honors the more than 54,000 who died there, and the thousands of veterans of this conflict.
Korean War Memorial - Photo by George Bradshaw
The most popular memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with its polished, black granite walls honoring the deceased and missing who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam. There are also the bronze figures of three soldiers who stand guard over their fallen comrades. The Vietnam Wall is decorated with flowers, letters, books, pictures and other mementoes left by people in remembrance of their loved ones.
One of the most beautiful memorials is the World War II Memorial, set in a plaza centered by a reflecting pool. There are the Atlantic and the Pacific Pavilions and each state is represented by a pillar. The most unique thing that we discovered about this memorial was set in an out-of-the-way corner – the Kilroy Was Here sign etched in cement. Everyone remembers that little guy with the big nose!
Kilroy was here - WWII memorial - Photo by George Bradshaw
The Marine or Iwo Jima Memorial is awe inspiring and brings chills to your body and tears to your eyes. It is the most famous of the WWII memorials and is enormous. The rocks surrounding the feet of the soldiers raising the flag were brought from the island of Iwo Jima. The figures of the men are so detailed that you can see the veins in their hands, the stubble on their faces and the worn condition of their shoes.
The day we went to the Tomb of the Unknowns it was raining, but it did not dampen our spirits or our reverence for this memorial located within the Arlington National Cemetery. The men who guard these tombs are members of an elite group called the “Old Guard.” Buried there are unknown soldiers from WWI and WWII and the Korean War. There is no unknown from the Vietnam War because of modern medical advances; the soldier was identified by his DNA and the remains returned to his family.
All of these war memorials should be on your list of “must sees” when you visit the US Capitol.
Tags: Art, Historic, Monuments, Scenery, US Domestic Travel
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
very interesting and informative, nice going!