On May 29, 2004, a four-day "grand reunion" of veterans on the National Mall culminated in the dedication of this tribute to the legacy of "The Greatest Generation".

The World War II Memorial's pride stirring feature include...

• Twenty-four bronze bas-relief panels flank the ceremonial entrance. To many, these panels stir memories as they tell the story of America's experience in the war.

• Granite columns representing each U.S. state and territory at the time of World War II ... ring an impressive pool with water shooting high into the air.

• Quotes, references to theaters, campaigns, and battles, and two massive victory pavilions chronicle the efforts Americans undertook to win the war.

• A wall of 4,048 gold stars reminds all of the supreme "ultimate" sacrifice made by over 400,000 Americans to make that victory possible.

For more than 200 years, the National Mall and Memorial Parks has symbolized our nation and its democratic values, which have inspired the world. It protects the National Mall, the great swath of over 1,000 green space acres in the middle of our capital city (Washington, D.C.) along with the iconic monuments and memorials.

Image created by USA Patriotism! from
U.S. Navy photo by PM2 Daniel J. McLain
U.S. National Park Service photos by Victoria Staufffenberg and Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress

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