World War II Memorial Opens to Public

Yahoo! News ^ | Apr 29, 2004 | JENNIFER C. KERR

[yonif]

WASHINGTON - A national monument to the 16 million U.S. men and women who served during World War II opened to the public Thursday, giving veterans of that era a sense of recognition some say was long overdue but well worth the wait.

"It is beautiful," declared World War II veteran and former Marine George Lynch. "To see this memorial after all these years is absolutely marvelous."

The granite and bronze monument features waterfalls, fountains, and a curved wall bedecked with gold stars to represent the more than 400,000 who gave their lives in the war.

On its opening day, under glorious sunshine, the memorial immediately helped introduce another generation to the heroism that brought victory to America and its allies.

As the first visitors, hundreds of schoolchildren raced down two entrance ramps after receiving a stern warning from the U.S. Park Service not to throw any coins into the many fountains because they stain the granite.

The children shouted and pointed, exclaiming "Oh, cool!" and "Look at that!"

Zach Richter, 14, of Newtown, Conn., whose grandfather served in World War II, said he couldn't wait to get home to call him and let him know his grandson was one of the first visitors.

"He's proud that people are finally recognizing him," said Richter, who was with 400 other 8th-graders from Newtown Middle School.

The memorial has been almost two decades in the making. While the formal dedication ceremony is still a month away, project organizers raced to put the finishing touches on the memorial so the ever-dwindling number of veterans from that era can visit it.

America's World War II vets are dying at a rate of 1,056 a day, the Veterans Affairs Department estimates. Fewer than 4 million will be alive at the time of the Memorial Day weekend dedication.

Until now, veterans and tourists have only been able to peek at the memorial through wire fencing surrounding the site or from a small walkway on one end. Now that the fences are down, visitors can roam freely about the memorial, which sits prominently between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.

Equal in size to the length of a football field, the memorial has two hulking 43-foot arches at each end. One is marked Atlantic, the other Pacific — symbolizing the two theaters of the war.

Fifty-six smaller granite pillars adorned with two bronze wreaths form the oval shape of the memorial and encircle a sunken plaza and pool. The pillars represent each state and territory from that period, and the District of Columbia.

The $174 million project is the culmination of years of arm-twisting and fund raising by veterans, including former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole. From schoolchildren to corporations, more than $195 million was raised. The remaining money will be put in a trust fund for future use.

The dedication next month is expected to draw a big crowd. Some 117,000 free tickets were snapped up in a matter of weeks, and there's a waiting list with 50,000 names on it.

President Bush (news - web sites) and all the living former presidents have been invited to the event.

The Smithsonian Institution (news - web sites) is planning four days of festivities on the National Mall to coincide with the May 29 dedication ceremony.

"We certainly think this could be the largest gathering of World War II veterans in one place since war ended in 1945," said Jim Deutsch, program curator for the National World War II Reunion.

At the "Tribute to a Generation," there will be two stages playing music from the 1940s from the Ink Spots, the Artie Shaw Orchestra and others.

Eight tents will cover four blocks along the Mall. In one tent, veterans can reunite with old comrades. And under another, veterans will share their stories and experiences. Dole and former Democratic presidential candidate and Sen. George McGovern are among those expected to speak.

"What we're interested in learning about is what World War II meant to members of this generation," Deutsch said.

____

On the Net: World War II Memorial: http://www.wwiimemorial.com

Smithsonian's Tribute to a Generation: http://www.folklife.si.edu

[yonif]

[Modernman]

Going to see it this weekend. From what I saw as they were building it, they did a great job.

[SquirrelKing]

Can't wait to see it.

[egarvue]

I have to admit, I didn't like the placement of the monument at first, and some of the early designs were just way too huge for the space. But now that I see a picture of it, I like it. WWII was a pivotal moment in our nation's history, when we moved to superpower status, and the brave men and women of WWII deserve all the recognition we can give them for what they did in service to humanity.

[pt17]

Long overdue. My father, who went through the entire Pacific theatre, would be proud of it were he with us.

[pete anderson]

This one is for you Dad. Thanks.

[Sunshine Sister]

I am a charter member of the Memorial Association. Dad and Mom are long gone but they would be proud of the memorial. Dad was in the Army Air Corps and Mom tested ammunition at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant. I'm so glad this memorial finally got built.

[skeeter]

It isn't nearly as ostentatious as it appeared in the drawings I saw. It seems to blend in nicely with the area but is still impressive. They did a good job.

[BushisTheMan]

I hate to be a bummer, but how long before the Dems and their ilk or the Religion of Peace deface it?

[skeeter]

An added plus is it'll sit right in the middle of all future leftie-kook rallies on-the-mall.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Given how bad some recent monuments have been, I expected this one to be horrible. But from the photos above, I seem to be wrong.

It's beautiful. Kudos to all involved.

[GreenLanternCorps]

May I be first in line to castrate and disembowel any person who defaces this monument?

[USNFighting31st]

My father a WWII Navy Veteran who passed away last month is looking down with pride on that monument. Nearly $500 was sent to the monument in his name by friends and family.

In Memory of Clarence D. Glenn USS Mississippi BB41
which gallantly fought in numerous engagements with the Japanese, including, Peleliu, the battle of Surigao Strait, the largest sea battle ever, and Okinawa. His ship was twice struck by kamikazes. He was proud of his service and of his ship’s proud record. It is recalled that the first words his children were taught to spell was m-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i-.

[Sunshine Sister]

And knock a couple of teeth out while you are at it for me! Thanks!

[Howlin]

It isn't nearly as ostentatious as it appeared in the drawings I saw. It seems to blend in nicely with the area but is still impressive.

Yes, it is!!

[Howlin]

Take a look at this!

[OXENinFLA]

WOW I hadn't seen an aerial shot yet!

[deport]

Very long overdue............

[annyokie]

It is beautiful!

[Howlin]

Places to see!