WWII Memorial to Honor America’s “Greatest Generation”

The United States suffered the loss of 413,000 military and civilian men and women, treated some 670,000 wounded, and questioned the whereabouts of 20,000 missing Americans during World War II. Now, 60 years later, we are finally on the verge of revealing a memorial befitting of the valor and heroism of our World War II veterans.

After many years of planning and discussion, authorization for this memorial was granted in 1993, and a dedication of the site on the National Mall took place in 1995.  In 2001, amidst controversy and numerous delays in the memorial’s construction progress, Congress approved legislation to expedite the project’s completion.    

The American Battle Monument Commission has coordinated a four-day celebration to honor the dedication of the National World War II Memorial. Running through Memorial weekend May 27th to 30th, these events will consist of, among other things, a Reunion on the National Mall, a Salute to WWII Veterans at the MCI Center, and the long-awaited Dedication Ceremony for the WWII Memorial.

The dedication is expected to attract tens of thousands of veterans and their families and friends to our nation’s capital to pay tribute to the veterans of America’s “Greatest Generation”.  For those unable to travel to Washington for the dedication, the ceremony will be televised live on both C-SPAN and the History Channel.  Washington, D.C. is also celebrating a 100-day tribute to The Greatest Generation from May 27th to September 7th, 2004. The summer celebration will feature more than 140 World War II-themed exhibits, performances, and walking tours.

Once completed, the National World War II Memorial will for centuries to come fittingly honor the 16 million American heroes who fought tyranny and fascism across the globe.  It is imperative that future generations of Americans forever remember the unimaginable sacrifice, the human cost, and the enormous price these veterans paid for our freedoms.  The Memorial, which is certain to be both inspiring in its magnitude and sobering in its symbolism, is but a token of our nation’s collective gratitude for our veterans’ remarkable courage.

If you would like to honor a family member in the National World War II Memorial Registry, you can do so by calling 1-800-639-4992 or by visiting the memorial’s website at www.wwiimemorial.com.   Please feel free to contact my district office at 614-469-5614 if I can be of assistance regarding the registry. This list of Americans will forever memorialize the courageous men and woman who selflessly contributed to the war effort and the preservation of our freedoms.