Watercolor overview of the Memorial

The National World War II Memorial is located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Construction began in September 2001, and the memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004.  The memorial was officially dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004.

Memorial Plaza:  The memorial plaza and Rainbow Pool are the principal design features of the memorial, unifying all other elements. Two flagpoles flying the American flag will frame the ceremonial entrance at 17th Street. The bases of granite and bronze will be adorned with appropriate iconography. Ceremonial steps and ramps lead from 17th Street into the plaza. A series of 24 bronze bas-relief panels along the ceremonial entrance balustrades will depict America's war years, at home and overseas. Announcements of the memorial will be located at the 17th Street entrance and an announcement stone will be at east edge of the Rainbow Pool. Curvilinear ramps at the north and south approaches provide access to the plaza for visitors walking along the existing east-west pathways between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. These ramps provide a gentle entry to the plaza. Granite benches follow the curvilinear rampart walls.

Memorial Arches:  Two 43-foot arches serve as markers and entries on the north and south ends of the plaza. Bronze baldacchinos are an integral part of the arch design. Four bronze columns support four American eagles that hold a suspended victory laurel to memorialize the victory of the WWII generation. Inlayed on the floor of the arches will be the WWII victory medal surrounded by the words "Victory on Land," "Victory at Sea," and "Victory in the Air." These sculptural elements will celebrate the victory won in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters.

Embracing Arms and Pillars: Fifty-six granite pillars celebrate the unprecedented unity of the nation during WWII and symbolize the bonding of the nation. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia will be represented by a pillar adorned with laurels and inscribed with its name. The 17-foot pillars are open in the center for greater transparency, and ample space between each allows viewing into and across the memorial.

Commemorative Area: Within a commemorative area at the western side of the memorial is recognized the sacrifice of America's WWII generation, the contribution of our allies, and the suffering of all humankind. A field of 4,000 sculpted gold stars on the Freedom Wall will commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives. During WWII, the gold star became the enduring symbol of family sacrifice.

Source:  National World War II Memorial, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 501, Arlington, Virginia 22201