World War II Memorial Dedication
 

My 2 sisters,their families and my husband and I are going to DC for the World War II Memorial dedication this Memorial Day weekend. We are all getting alittle more concerned after hearing about the terror alerts being upped.
Do you think we should be overly concerned?
I planned this trip and now they are asking me...

I think that this event is going to have so much security associated with it that your risk is very low. Everything I've heard and read is that terrorists like Al-Quaeda strike where and when it's least expected. This type of event would not fit that bill.

Not to get political, but you really shouldn't believe the hype about terrorist attacks so much, and I can promise you that because I'm in NYC which has been the site of a couple of major recent attacks and is always destined to be the next great attack as well. As far as I'm concerned, it's mostly so when nothing happens, the administration can tell you what a great job it's doing.

As SaraLou mentioned, the idea behind terrorism is to strike in common place areas on non-significant dates. Basically, anytime, anywhere. It's a hard concept to grasp, but it's counterproductive to not go that route when the response here is to beef up security in those special places, on those special dates.

You probably couldn't be any safer from those sorts of attacks than in the nation's capital. Not to say things can't happen, but you can get hit by a car walking across the street. You just can't let what might or might not happen control your life.

I feel bad for anyone who looks forward to doing something only to turn away at the last moment due to what really amount to fabricated concerns and then when nothing happens, they've lost the opportunity.

DC says security will be unprecedented. Your only danger will be getting crunched on Metro and suffering severe boredom looking at this Mall monstrosity. No disrespect to the veterans, but you deserved an inpsiring edifice, not some $100 plus million marble sprawl for which 40 trees were condemned to die. Did it have to be in the middle of the Mall? Couldn't they have hidden it someplace? IMHO.

Blacktie, take a look at the review in this week's New Yorker, which concludes that both the veterans and the mall fared badly in this undertaking.

On last night's news, they said that the national alert level is staying at Yellow, whatever that means, it's in the middle of the range. We've been up at orange a few times in the past year, so I guess that staying at yellow should be reassuring.

Let me take a different tact - that inspired by the last line of your post - you planned this and they are asking you.

Sounds like it might be your "fault" if anything goes wrong - from crowds, to misplaced luggage, to a big bomb. In my opinion, all the "is it safe" posts about various locations and events must also be evaluated by the emotion of those involved. I am terrified when I fly, but still do when I travel. No statistics will reassure me. It is just an emotional thing - as is the notion of safety this weekend in Washington, NY, etc. Statistically you are very safe anywhere - unless you are an unlucky one in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So I think your sisters need to decide if they would be too fearful to enjoy themselves and then make a decision - unless you have some supernatural powers about which we are unaware so that you can guarantee them safety.

Yes, will look at New Yorker - one of the best sources of valid information, in my opinion, especially on Iraq.

The color level will remain the same. I don't think that means anything at all.

I just re-checked my reassurance rate -I need a starter shock!

jor, it's understandable you're not familiar with the design. Or placement. You know the mall, in DC, the green grass, it runs unimpeded (until now) from Cap. to Lincoln. Tons of marble later, we have dozens of columes in the middle, flanked by two huge things marked Atlantic And Pacific. Another war memorial. We were hoping they'd place it in Arlington, someplace near the Beltway, so commuters could also celebrate WWII. But I suppose where it is is okay, near the t-shirts.

"Another war memorial?" And you want it next to the Beltway?? Crying about 40 trees? You people are unbelieveable! And while you are at it, read your history on WW2 and the sacrifices of a whole generation. IMHO, this monument is long overdue....

Croppedcapri, as a registered Architect and landscape architect I know about the design and history of the mall as well as most of the landmarks and parks in the US. Things change. DC was a Swamp when Alexander Hamilton got the gov to move out of NYC. Are they selling T-shirts on the beltway? No. Because visitors around the world go to the mall area not the Beltway.

Hmmm...both Blacktie and Croppedcapri have never posted here before and they show up spouting off about the Memorial. Either it's a coincidence or they are trolls....

As to the original question..LTC, if you are unsure of going, there are tons of people who REALLY want to go and are waiting for tickets. Please call the 800 number on your letter and tell them if you won't be going so they can give them to someone else on the waiting list.

I lurk most of the time but once and awhile but the WWII memorial is really awful and completely breaks up the free sightlines from the capital to the Lincoln memorial, regardless of the amount of free space it takes up. Members of WWII deserve a memorial just not this one or at this spot. It would have been better served near the FDR and more understated to reflect the people that sacrficed so much.

Oh, well, it is there now, not much you can do about it now.

I have been watching CNN this morning with their coverage on the memorial. There have been many comments about how it DOES NOT obstruct sight lines. I do not understand how people get something stuck in their heads and can't get around it despite the facts. The memorial was in planning stages for several years by very competant architects and designers.

As for the 40 trees that gave their lives, I am a tree hugger myself but would rather spend my efforts in saving millions of trees from loggers in a forest.

My Dad is a WWII vet and is unable to attend the memorial dedication. He would put any of you whiners to shame with all he has given during his life. My father is more important than some idiot's view of the Washington monement.

And thank you Bob Dole for getting it off the ground even though I totally disagree with your politics.

If you are truly a LTC you know fear makes an ineffective leader.
Don't let these "Muslim Religious Fanatics" dictate who you are, nor when and where you will go.
They will be destroyed

Hi

First off this memorial to all those who served during World War II has been a LONG time in coming. The veterans have almost been the "forgotten heroes" but it is finally here and in a most fitting place. It belongs on the mall. Most everything in washington is a tribute to something and the most fitting tributes are "on the mall". Therefore those of us who work downtown can see it, admire it, and reflect or pray at it while walking during the day or at lunch. Yes, many of us walk (or jog) that same mall every working day.

Now for those of you displaying fear of what might happen in DC this weekend I'll only ask you this "What do you think that the couple million DC workers do each day? We get on the subway, or in our cars and go into our jobs in Washington DC or New York City or Tulsa Ok or Ysilanti Mi.

If you allow the terrorists to take over your plans and your life then you've also allowed them to win. We can't do that - we've lost enough people at the World Trade Center and at the Pentegon to give in to terrorism.

I know - I've been on the bandwagon - but don't you think those WWII vets fought for our freedom and now need us to be at that dedication?

I agree that the new memorial has been way too long in coming. One grandmother had five of her nine sons in service during WWII ..... some in combat, and my other grandmother lost her baby son in the war! I think it's in the perfect spot... right in the middle of everything, to remind people of the sacrifice these heroes made so that we can enjoy all the freedom we do in this country. Thank you, Bob Dole, for all your hard work!!!!

Afterthought here, a bit of soapbox but I'm close to the source. Just came back from the WWII Memorial dedication with my dad, a WWII Vet. The memorial does not "obstruct" but enhances the COLLECTIVE views that can be taken in by American and foreign visitors to DC as an all-encompassing truly American moment. One of the greatest things about being on the Mall is being able to see a number of breathtaking important sights by just turning your head, and this WWII memorial should be included in that. Yes it is a "change", and not everyone will agree on design, but the Intention is strong and was today received with true gratitude, even from those who could not get right on location of the memorial but shared in the experience from elsewhere on the beautiful expanse of the Mall. The WWII memorial surely belongs right there on the Natl Mall in commemoration of so much sacrifice by American veterans who are from a generation too humble to push for recognition and they would, if this were not finally erected, have passed on without providing the stories and glory that belong in the history books of our country and the minds of its citizens. Looking around at all the tears and admiration today, one realizes how our country is sorely in need of "average joe/jill non celebrity" mentors who truly were patriots and heroes in their day - a great example to a country in need of a vision that the USA is a force and its diverse people can come together in time of need. Ok, I'm done. By the way, it felt very safe today. It is apparent that there is strong security in place in DC but it seems to be positioned not to intimidate, but to control and protect and let the participants focus on the planned event. Onward, the Memorial weekend is not over.

Not having seen it in person, I suppose I shouldn't comment. But I thought that the concept of placing it between the Washington Monument (where our country started) and the Lincoln Monument (representing the preservation of the Union) is fairl appropo. My opinion if course.

Thank You wandrlst... well said.
My father-in-law would have loved to have lived to see it. He served in the Pacific. My husband, a retired Army veteran cannot wait to see it.
My son, currently in Iraq cannot wait to see it.
Three generation of men in one family who would have given thier lives so you can have the freedom to disagree.
I am not much of a writer but I hope you get the point.
This memorial means a lot to many and nothing to very few...

Watched the cermonies on the History channel yesterday. Will be visiting in July and it is at the top of our list of things to do. Yes, it is long overdue which only reinforces the fact that that generation was and will always be the "greatest generation ever".