"It was the largest armed conflict in history, spanning the entire world and involving more countries than any other war," Saxton said. "You veterans were there and you changed the world and the course of history."

ROTC youths from Rancocas Valley Regional High School and Lenape Regional High School provide an honor guard at the Memorial, and Freeholders Vince Farias and Dawn Addiego and other county and police officials rode down with the veterans in 35 buses from Mount Laurel, Delran and Burlington Township. The trip was sponsored by the Burlington County Freeholders.

"The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the United States, the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home," Saxton said.

Saxton laid memorial wreaths at both the New Jersey section and a general fountain section. Nearly 300,000 Americans were killed in fighting, and another 670,846 were injured.

"The Memorial is symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century," Saxton said. "It is a permanent monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people who overcame tyranny and saved millions in Europe and Asia."

The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis. The war in Europe began on September 1, 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, and concluded on Sept. 2, 1945 with the official surrender of the last Axis nation, Japan.