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The National World War II Memorial is a beautiful and fitting tribute to the 16 million men and womenof the Greatest Generation who met and defeated the greatest threat to freedom in the history of the world.
On a chilly, wet, gray day, my wife and son and I visited the Memorial. A misty rain was falling during most of our visit but it only served to add to the solemn nature of the site. There is no celebration of victory to be seen anywhere in the memorial, only memories of the battles, places and people. The marble base of the flagpoles that flank the entrance to the memorial carry the message that the United States' entered the Second World Warnot to conquer, but to liberate a world fast falling to the forces of tyranny.
My only regret in visiting the Memorial was the realization that it came far to late for most of the 16 million it honors, to see. Still, we saw eight or ten veterans, some in wheel chairs, visiting the memorial and wearing their veteran's caps or jackets proudly. Near the Pearl Harbor inscription, survivors of the attack speak with visitors and tell of their experiences on that "Day of Infamy."
Symbolism is all around, even before you enter the memorial. The very location of the site, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, is symbolic of the importance of World War II in preserving the ideals won under George Washington and defended under Abraham Lincoln.
To those who have visited the Memorial and want to remember; To those who plan to visit and wish a preview; To those who would like to visit but cannot - I present this remembrance of my own visit.
 Large marble tablet at the 17th Street Ceremonial entrance to the World War II Memorial |
 Here I am standing at the entrance to the Memorial. |
 Flagpoles flying the American Flag are on each side of the Ceremonial entrance. At the base of each is an inscription explaining the United States' purpose for entering the war. "AMERICANS CAME TO LIBERATE, NOT TO CONQUER, TO RESTORE FREEDOM AND TO END TYRANNY" The base of each flagpole is surrounded by the seal of each of the Armed Forces including Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. |
 A view of the Atlantic Pavilion from the tablet at the Ceremonial entrance. The Atlantic and Pacific Pavilions symbolize a war fought across two oceans. Along the walkway down from the entrance are 24 bas-relief panels (12 on each side), each depicting a scene from wartime. The first panel shows a family huddled around their radio listening to President Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy"speech. |
 The center of the Memorial features an elliptical pool ringed with fountains. This photo was taken from inside the Atlantic pavilion. Everywhere there are visitors reading the inscriptions or taking pictures. |
 Looking back at the Washington Monument from behind the fountains of the World War II Memorial. Flagpoles flanking the Ceremonial Entrance and the bas-relief panels along the walkways are visible. |
 Each pavilion is flanked by 28 pillars, 56 in all, known as the Roll Call of the Nation. The 56 pillars bear the name of each of the 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia. This photo shows pillars to the right of the Pacific pavilion. Starting here and alternating across between pavilions, each pillar bears the name of a state in order of their entry to the Union. Delaware, the first state, starts the roll call. Directly opposite, to the left of the Atlantic pavilion is Pennsylvania, then back across to the Pacific pavilion side is New Jersey, third state to enter the Union, and so on. |
 On each pillar are two wreaths, one of oak and one of wheat. The oak wreath (right) represents the industrial strength of the United States, the wheat wreath agricultural strength. Together they signify the United States' roll as "The Arsenal of Democracy." |
 A view of the Atlantic Pavilion and Pillars to the right of it. Also visible is one of the flags at the entrance to the memorial. Rising above everything is the Washington Monument. |
 Just in front of the Pillars are walkways leading down from each side of the Pavilion to the fountain level. |
 The World War II Victory Medal adorns the floor of each pavilion |
 Four eagles support the symbolic wreaths at the open top of each of the pavilions. |
 At the base of each Pavilion are small pools and fountains. Tablets recall theaters of the war. At the base are inscribed significant battles. |
 Each Pavilion has a balcony which overlooks the fountains and lower portion of the Memorial. In this view from the Atlantic Pavilion, the large fountains have obscured the Pacific Pavilion. |
 Theaters of war and battles that took place in each correspond to the Pavilion they adorn. |
 My father served two-and-a-half years in the oft-forgotten China-Burma-India Theater. Tears came to my eyes as I stood and looked at the inscription on the stone at the left side belowthe Pacific Pavilion. My wife was quick with a tissue and my son just as quick with a hug. The feelings of pride and sorrow had swelled too great to be contained. |
 At various places on the walls of the Memorial are inscriptions recalling significant events in the war. This inscription commemorates Pearl Harbor and is taken from President Roosevelt's famous speech following the attack that drew the United States of America into the war. |
 The memorial was built at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. Here my son Joseph, who lives in Arlington but calls Washington home, pauses at the Reflecting Pool. To the west can be seen the Lincoln Memorial. |
 My wife Christine, bundled against the cool damp air and patriotically protected against the rain,crosses the walkway between the Reflecting Pool and the Memorial. The walkway allows visitors to view the point where the Pool joins the Memorial. |
 Water from the Reflecting Pool flows into the World War II Memorial in gentle waterfalls. |
 Christine and me in front of the waterfalls. |
 The most sobering part of the entire Memorial is the Freedom Wall which stands directly in front of theReflecting Pool and spans the width of the Memorial. "HERE WE MARK THE PRICE OF FREEDOM." Four thousand gold stars fill the wall. While the wall of gold stars is impressive, it seems small when you realize that each star representsone hundred American lives lost in the war. The Freedom Wall commemorates the more than 400,000 who gave their lives in defense of freedom. |
  Joseph points to his grandfather's entry in the World War II Veterans Registry. Computerized directories allow you to search for and display any veteran whose name has been entered in the registry. Other information about the Memorial can be obtained from Park Rangers and volunteers in the Visitor's Center located behindthe Pacific Pavilion. |
 A view of the Memorial and its park-like setting. |
 Visitors approach the Memorial from the Constitution Avenue side. The Atlantic Pavilion lies at the end of this walkway. |
 A view of the Memorial from the Washington Monument. (Photo by Richard Latoff). |
 An aerial view of the Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is at left, the Washington Monument at right. (Image by Google Earth). |
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