World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., commemorates the sacrifice and celebrates the victory of the WWII generation.
This memorial, completed in 2004, honours the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II, the more than 400.000 who died and the millions who supported the war effort from the home front.
It illuminates the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation’s call to arms and was designed to inspire future generations of Americans, deepening their appreciation for what the World War generation accomplished in securing freedom and democracy.
Quote from the National Mall & Memorial Parks guidebook, Oh Ranger
The memorial is impressive and beautiful, and during the two times I have been to Washington D.C., I wanted to visit it as much as possible. In 2009, the first time, I was lucky to meet a WWII veteran, but this time in July 2018, I saw none, unfortunately.
From the homepage of Visiting the National World War II Memorial
Symbols of America’s triumph in the Second World War are artfully displayed all over the World War II Memorial, which has a splendid fountain at its center. 56 granite columns symbolize unity among the 48 states, seven federal territories and the District of Columbia. The columns form a semi-circle around the memorial’s plaza, with two 43-foot tall arches on opposite sides. The northern arch represents victory in the Atlantic, while the southern arch symbolizes victory in the Pacific.
The Freedom Wall is lined with 4,000 stars commemorating the 400,000 US war dead
24 bas-relief panels line both sides of the 17th Street entrance. They depict the many contributions Americans made to the war effort. They deserve to be seen:
Words spoke by presidents and generals.
General MacArthur marking the war’s end:
Today the guns are silent…. the sky no longer rains death- the seas bear only commerce- men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. the entire world is quietly at peace
Categories: Historical issues, Travelling, Uncategorized, WWII
From one Heart to Another 
Lovely photos and nice memories for you. But I bridle a bit at the guide book phrase ‘America’s triumph in the Second World War.’ Yes, they were hugely important in the eventual winning of the war but they didn’t do it on their own. And they were two years late for it!
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I totally agree with you Clive and treasure the sacrifice from your country
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There were many sacrifices from many countries, we must never forget those who gave their lives to protect democracy. I was reminded of this at the weekend from watching some of the eulogies for John McCain. Fortunately, they didn’t display the jingoism of that guide book!
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Beautiful post on the memorial, Maria, thank you.
I’m going to pass this on to a German blogger who is also into American ideals on their site.
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Thank you, GP Cox, you inspire me to go on
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You have such a wonderful heart, Maria, I don’t think I have anything to do with it!!
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Your faithful comments help me to go on with my blogging
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I forgot to leave you Taylor’s link… (Jeez I’m getting old!!)
https://reenactmentblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/buch-pocket-guide-to-germany-handbuch-fuer-amerikanische-soldaten-in-deutschland-1944/
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Has that something to do with the pictures on the Naval Memorial without texts?
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Perhaps I did it wrong. I’ll try again soon.
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I clicked on that link and Taylor is discussing the pocket guides given to the American soldiers right after the war.
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That comment by MacArthur is great. It is a pity it was only for a short while.
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So right, evil has continued ever since. By the way, thank you for letting us act in your story. Henry will print the whole thing on his job so I can read it in one row.
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That would be a good idea.
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