The NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL, It's almost complete and will be dedicated this spring.
Written: Nov 19 '03 (Updated Jun 01 '04)
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Pros: A long overdue site that is coming into reality.
Cons: Too many have died before they had the opportunity to see this site.
The Bottom Line: Our nation, though sometimes seeming so splintered, has come together in times of National need. This will be a living memorial to the unity of a great Nation.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: National World War II Memorial |
In the last few years I have been watching the progress of this new and long overdue memorial that's purpose is to honor all those who served in the war, the 400,000 men and woman who died, and all those who helped in the war effort at home.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
I was able to get some literature about the site at the nearby ranger station. It read of the memorial, in part, ".....Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial will be a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world. It will inspire future generations of Americans, deepening their appreciation of what the World War II generations accomplished in securing freedom and democracy. Above all, the memorial will stand as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded together in a common just cause."
The PROCESS
I began reading of the progress to make this a real place for the last ten years or so. The process actually started in the late 1980's when legislation was introduced to authorize the memorial in DC on nationally owned land.
The authorization was signed into law in 1993.
Most of the monies for this project came from private donations. A much smaller percentage came from the government. Senator Bob Dole served as the voluntary national chairman of the memorial fund raising campaign.
The process of design brought in four hundred and four entries that were eventually narrowed down to six. There was a panel that had architects, landscape artists, and WWII vets to oversee the selection. The final choice came down to the plans of Friedrich St. Florian, an architect from Providence R.I.
The choice of where it was to be built went through a lengthy and well debated process. In may of 2001 The House and Senate passed legislation directing an immediate start of the project. President Bush signed it into law on Memorial Day, May 28.
Every time I have visited DC in the last couple of years I have gone down to the site. The construction started in August of 2001. At first it was a dirt pit separated from the inquisitive eye by a plywood barrier around the 7.4 acre site. I was there again in the summer. I could see some larger columns being set. This last weekend in November brought me once again to DC. I made another stop at the site. Much of the process is now open to sight. I can really see this monument taking shape. I am also happy to say that, from the design I have seen, and now looking at the site, it should not interfere with the overall use of the land in this prime Washington Mall location. Construction is well under way and it will be dedicated May of 2004. More on that later.
WHERE IS IT?
The main entrance of the memorial will be on 17th street. This is at the western foot of the hill that goes up to make the base of the Washington Monument. It actually starts on the east end of the reflection pool. That is the body of water that you see when standing in the Lincoln Monument and look out toward the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. It is in the area of the Rainbow Pool.
I was concerned of the view from the Lincoln Memorial. This concern help by many was kept in mind and addressed with the planning of the memorial The higher parts of it are left and right of center and structures are spaced so that there is no obstruction of view.
This monument will be the only memorial dedicated to a 20th Century event that is built on the central axis of the mall. It is quite a place of honor.
I also feel that it has been long in coming. So many of the good men and woman who survived the war have died since then.
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
This memorial will be fitting for those who served in the war both in action and on the home front. It will have more of what the people of that day viewed as honorable tributes. The architect made trips to Europe to see what some of those memorials looked like. He blended them with ideas he had and the overall concept seems perfect.
There will be granite columns, brass pillars, carved eagles, sculpted stars, memorial arches, waterfalls and other water works and an open plaza.
I happen to like the overall plan. There will also be access to the grounds from the north and south through two memorial arches.
Some of the parts of design will have, "....series of bronze bas relief panels along the ceremonial entrance balustrades will depict America's war years, at home and overseas.........Granite benches follow the curvilinear rampart walls......Four bronze columns support four American Eagles that support a suspended victory laurel to memorialize the Victory of the WWII generation.......Fifty six granite pillars celebrate the unprecedented unity of the nation. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia will be represented by a pillar adorned with laurels and inscribed with its name.....17'pillars are open in the center for greater transparency and ample space to allow viewing into and across the memorial......a commemorative area will recognize the sacrifice of America's WWII generation, the contributions of our allies, and the suffering of all humankind.....4,000 sculpted stars will commemorate the more that 400,000 American who gave their lives........The historic waterworks of the Rainbow Pool will be completely restored.....the design provides seating along the pools circumference.......semi circular fountains at the base of the arches and waterfalls flanking the Freedom Wall will compliment the waterworks of Rainbow Pool.....two thirds of the site will be landscaping and water allowing the memorial to nestle comfortably within the park like settings....a landscaped contemplative area will be located at the northwest corner of the site......Canopies of flowering trees will augment the re-seeded lawns.
This sounds like a lot of "stuff", yet, the artists drawings of the finished product make this look like a serene, park like setting, with purpose. Go to the site that I list a bit later. You can see a few different high resolution drawings and angles of the memorial.
It seems that, in looking at the site from atop either the Lincoln Memorial on the west or the base of the Washington Monument on the east, the view will be open and actually frame the Washington and Lincoln sites. I am happy with its development.
WHEN CAN WE SEE IT?
The dedication will take place during a four day Memorial Day weekend celebration. There will be a WWII-theme re-union exhibition on the mall. A Memorial Service will take place at the Washington National Cathedral. An entertainment salute to the WWII vets will include big band and swing music. Other events will be taking place at different entertainment venues throughout DC.
The dedication itself will be Saturday May 29th. The only way to get to this is to have tickets. Tickets are free and are going to WWII vets first. For more information on this go to the National Parks website.
www.nps.gov/nwwm/
or call 1-800-639-4992
WWII REGISTRY
Also found on the site will be an opportunity to register WWII vets and those who worked on the home front. This is in part from the site.
Welcome to the WWII Registry! The memory of America's World War II generation will be preserved within the physical memorial and through the World War II Registry of Remembrances, an individual listing of Americans who contributed to the war effort. Any U.S. citizen who helped win the war, whether a veteran or someone on the home front, is eligible for the Registry. Names in the Registry will be forever linked to the memorial's bronze and granite representations of their sacrifice and achievement.
I didn't follow up on all this just yet. I did, however, have my dad and father-in-law registered right away. I will update this piece as I learn more.
WORLD WAR II Online STORE
If you do go to the web site I left you can click your way to the online store. It has some items with the new memorial picture. They even have a Christmas ornament with a likeness of the new memorial. This may be a place to get a gift for the WWII vet that has everything. They might even be proud of the new memorial. Just a suggestion.
IN CLOSING
I wish I would have been able to take my dad down to this memorial. He is gone now. It's also a shame that so many who survived the war did not live long enough to witness this memorial. I will still go and I will take some of my children. I want them to know of the sacrifices of a generation and how they came together as one great nation.
Other DC reviews by popsrocks
The LINCOLN MEMORIAL
The Washington Monument
The National Archives This has just reopened and it's bigger and better!!
The National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC
Fairmont Washington Hotel
The Old Ebbit Grill Good Eats near the White House
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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