The National World War II Memorial
This memorial opened to the public in April 2004, made possible by private fundraising and ardent support from World War II veterans. Today, it is the only war memorial on the Mall's central axis.
The World War II Memorial is built on a 7.4-acre site between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The white-granite and bronze memorial has two 43-foot arches, symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war, as well as 56 granite pillars that form an oval around a plaza with a pool. The pillars represent the states and territories that sent soldiers from the United States to war.
Along the ceremonial entrance to the plaza, 24 bronze panels show various scenes from the war, both at home and overseas. Across from the pool is the Freedom Wall, where 4,000 gold stars symbolize the 400,000 Americans killed in combat.
As with all things in Washington, there was controversy over the construction of this memorial, from how the funds were raised (pitches from actor Tom Hanks and Senator Bob Dole) to its size and scale and even its location, claiming that it would obstruct the peaceful view of the Reflecting Pool.
TRAVEL TIP
The District is awash in security precautions, so be aware that there is a list of items that are not allowed in public buildings — weapons, of course, aerosol cans, strollers, animals, baggage, packages, food containers (except water in a clear container). No building has storage facilities for these items, so play safe.
Location and Hours
The memorial can be found at the Rainbow Pool site, at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument on the Mall. You can take the Blue or Orange Metro to the Smithsonian station, but it's a long walk to the site. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
