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National World War II Memorial Review

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National World War II Memorial

Address: 17th St., east of Washington Monument, The Mall, Washington, DC | Map It
www.wwiimemorial.com

Category: Memorials/Monuments
Location: The Mall

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Fodor's Review:

Dedicated just before Memorial Day in 2004, this symmetrically designed monument honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort at home.

An imposing circle of 56 granite pillars, each bearing a bronze wreath, represents the U.S. states and territories of 1941-45. Four bronze eagles, a bronze garland, and two 43-foot-tall arches inscribed with "Atlantic" and "Pacific" surround the large circular plaza. The roar of the water comes from the Rainbow Pool, here since the 1920s but newly renovated as the centerpiece of the memorial. There are also two fountains, and two waterfalls. The Field of Stars, a wall of 4,000 gold stars, commemorates the more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives in the war.

Although the parklike setting and the place of honor between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial may seem appropriate, some people were critical when the site for the memorial was announced because they felt it would interrupt the landscape between the two landmarks and it uses some of the open space that had been the site of demonstrations and protests.

Bas-relief panels tell the story of how World War II affected Americans by depicting women in the military, V-J Day, medics, the bond drive, and more activities of the time. The 24 panels are divided evenly between the Atlantic front and the Pacific front.

Cost: Free
Open: Open 24 hrsAM-midnight
Metro: Smithsonian

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