A DC memorial worth saving

February 24, 8:47 PMDC Ward 5 Community ExaminerRobert Vinson Brannum

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District of Columbia War Memorial

Each year thousands of people from across America and the world visit the monuments along the National Mall.  From the Washington Monument, pass the Korean War Memorial, along the Reflecting Pool, the Smithsonian Castle, to The Capitol; with side visits to the Lincoln Memorial and The White House, people walk, stand, meditate, and take pictures. Nestled along these treasured concrete and marbled icons of American history is a little known and visited monument, the District of Columbia War Memorial.

Dedicated on November 11, 1931 to honor District of Columbia veterans of World War I, this memorial is located just off the National Mall in a grove of trees not too far from the World War II Memorial near the Reflecting Pool.  It was paid for by private funds raised through a campaign led by Frank B. Noyes, former president of the Associated Press and the Washington Evening Star.  Former President Herbert Hoover spoke at the memorial’s dedication, and John Philip Sousa conducted the Marine Band.  The District of Columbia War Memorial was designed by Frederick H. Brooke to honor the service of more than 26,000 citizens of the District who served in World War I.  The names of the 499 residents of the District of Columbia who died in World War I are inscribed around its base.

Sadly, today not only are there few visitors to the District of Columbia War Memorial, but also the District of Columbia government seems to have forgotten its very existence. Through lack of municipal attention and government support, the memorial has fallen into serious disrepair. The District of Columbia Preservation League listed the memorial on its annual Most Endangered Places lists in 2003 and 2006. The Department of Interior, National Park Service conducted an Historic Structure Report & Cultural Landscape Assessment (prepared by John G. Waite Associates, PLLC), which includes a detailed plan for restoration of the District of Columbia War Memorial. The cost of that restoration has been estimated at $3-5 million, but no funds have been allocated to perform the work by the District or federal governments.

As the District decides its budget priorities for next fiscal year, maybe some funds can be set aside to restore a forgotten local memorial to its silent heroes to honor their courage and sacrifice - maybe.  To this honor we should add Fallen Heroes from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and always remember them - Army Spc. Keisha M. Morgan, Army Sgt. 1st Class Robin L. Towns, Sr., Army Sgt. 1st Class Randy L. Johnson, Army Capt. Darrell C. Lewis, Marine Lt. Col Kevin M. Shea, Army Lt. Col. Paul W. Kimbrough, Army National Spc. Darryl T. Dent, and Marine Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald.