The nation's capital is the center of many aspects of American government and society. The President and Congress preside in Washington, D.C. We send our federal taxes to Washington, D.C. Museums that catalog America and Americana, like the Smithsonian and the National Archives, are in Washington, D.C. Millions of tourists flock to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial to take in the grandeur of some of the nation's presidents. But in the midst of these government agencies and must-see attractions lay a more sober reminder of America- the war veterans' memorials.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Completed in 1982, this memorial opens like a scar on the western edge of The Mall, just north of the Reflecting Pool. It is one of the most visited memorials in D.C., averaging about 4 million a year. The Wall, as it is often referred to, has the names of those killed in action or missing in action etched into the black granite and books are available at each entrance for visitors to locate particular names. A visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is almost always an emotional experience, even for those who have no direct connection to the war. Located near the Wall are two more Vietnam Memorials, one is a statue of three soldiers and the other is a statue dedicated to the women who served during the war, mostly as nurses.
Korean War Veterans Memorial: On the southern side of the Reflecting Pool is the memorial dedicated to those who served during the Korean War. Authorized in 1986 and dedicated in 1995, it took some inspiration from its neighbor, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Dark granite panels are covered not in names, but in etched pictures of soldiers who fought and served during the Korean War. Next to the wall, 19 statues of soldiers on patrol walk through grassy terrain reminiscent of the Korean battlefields. There is a Pool of Remembrance and a United Nations Wall, dedicated to the other nations who also fought during the war.
World War II Memorial: One of the newest memorials located on The Mall is also one of the most impressive. Just behind the Washington Monument sits the World War II Memorial. Opened in 2004, the massive layout includes two pavilions on opposite sides which represent the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of operations. 56 granite pillars rise in an oval, one dedicated to every state and territory whose citizens served in the war. Bronze reliefs depict paratroopers ready to jump, families on the Homefront and soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy. In the Rainbow Pool, fountains of water symbolize the celebration of victory. The memorial is huge compared to the other two mentioned above, but it is a fitting memorial not only to those who served and died during World War II but also to the "Greatest Generation."
The best way to visit these memorials is to take the D.C. Metro and get off at the Smithsonian station. From there, the World War II Memorial is not a far walk. Just head for the Washington Monument and keep going. The Vietnam and Korean Veterans Memorial are closer to the Lincoln Memorial but there are no metro stations closer, so the only way to get there is to walk. Thankfully, The Mall is fairly flat and there is plenty of shade and benches for those hot D.C. summers.
For more information, visit: http://www.nps.gov/nwwm/index.htm; http://www.nps.gov/kowa//index.htm; http://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm
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Veterans Day in D.C.
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