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National Mall - World War II Memorial |
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World War II Memorial
National Mall
Southwest Washington, D.C.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian
The National World War II Memorial commemorates the sacrifice and celebrates the victory of the World War II generation. The memorial was dedicated on May 29, 2004.
The memorial plaza and Rainbow Pool are the principal design features of the memorial, unifying all other elements. Inlayed on the floor of the two 43-foot pavilions on the north and south ends of the plaza are the WWII victory medal surrounded by the years "1941-1945" and the words "Victory on Land," "Victory at Sea," and "Victory in the Air." These sculptural elements celebrate the victory won in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres.
Fifty-six granite pillars celebrate the unprecedented unity of the nation during WWII. The pillars are connected by a bronze sculpted rope that symbolizes the bonding of the nation. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia is represented by a pillar adorned with oak and wheat bronze wreaths and inscribed with its name. The pillars are arranged in the order of entry into the union, alternating south to north across the plaza beginning adjacent to the Field of Gold Stars.
A field of 4,000 sculpted gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives. During WWII, the gold star was the symbol of family sacrifice.
The memorial is open daily with a Park Ranger on site from 8:00 a.m. until midnight, except December 25. There are no fees to visit the memorial.
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