A VISIT TO WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON DC

                                       

                                           

A VISIT TO WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL  IN WASHINGTON DC

One  among some stunning monuments  in Washington DC is the Second World War Memorial built in 2004 over 7 acres of land . It was  in 1987, World War II veteran Roger Durbin  was the first person who gave the idea of building World War II MEMORIAL to Marcy Kaptur ,a Democrat from Ohio.  Marcy Kaptur introduced a bill in the House Of Representatives and the idea took shape.

The monument comprises of granite columns erected around a fountain  .Symbols of America’s triumph in the Second World War are artfully displayed all over the World War II Memorial.

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. Under each of the two memorial arches, the Pacific and Atlantic baldachinos, four eagles carry an oak laurel wreath. Each of the 56 pillars bear wreaths of oak symbolizing military and industrial strength, and of wheat, symbolizing agricultural production.  The central fountain show adds serenity and grace to the memorial .Located close to the  Potomac river that flows through Washington , the memorial  was inaugurated in April 2004. Entry is free . The Lincoln Memorial and the pillar shaped  Washington Monument ( Obelisk ) can be seen located closely but on the opposite directions of this War Memorial . The White House,the National Mall,  the Capitol and the Jefferson Memorial are also close by. So are some prominent museums and art galleries.

                                       

One of the World War II Memorial’s most striking features is the Freedom Wall. 4,048 gold stars pay tribute to American lives lost at war (each star represents 100 Americans), while dozens of battle names and military campaign destinations are also on display. In front of the wall, a stone fittingly reads, “Here we mark the price of freedom.”

When you enter the memorial’s semi-circle from the east, look for two walls on each side of you. Each contains scenes from the war beautifully rendered in rectangular bronze reliefs.

The National World War II Memorial honours the 16 million people who served as part of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, including more than 400,000 who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Two victory pavilions, representing the Atlantic and Pacific theaters where the war was fought, house massive bronze sculptures of eagles laying laurel wreaths above a representation of the Victory Medal. At the base of each pavilion is a pool with the names of campaigns and battles of each theater of the war. India is also mentioned under Pacific pavillion .

( Avtar Mota )

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