As pedestrians travel south on Independence Avenue toward the Tidal Basin, on the left they will be greeted by the giant, white pencil looking monument that seems to touch the sky: The Washington Monument. However when they turn to the right they will be able to see down the stretch of the National Mall, all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. Yet, there is a very distinct memorial which rests between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
The World War II Memorial is located in Washington D.C. on Independence Avenue and 17th Street. It is the first national memorial built in honor of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II. The space commemorates not only those who served but the effort and valor put forth by the nation as a whole.
Looking toward the Lincoln Memorial, on each side of the World War II Memorial stands white, fortress-like structures made of granite that represent the Pacific and the Atlantic. In a circle that connects with the larger structures, are smaller pillars of granite that are inscribed with the name of each of the fifty states, as well as the six U.S. territories during the time of World War II. The pillars are adorned with bronze wreaths and arranged by order of entry into the Union. The pillars are left open in the center for view into the memorial and it’s beautiful Rainbow Fountain, creating a sense of openness and inclusion.
The first thing that draws the eye to the memorial is the beauty of the white granite structure. The granite pillars each stand at 17 feet tall in an open space at the start of the National Mall. Their beauty and the openness invite visitors into the circular pavilion for a closer look.
Noteworthy and breathtaking, the Rainbow Fountain that flows into a large pool at the heart of the memorial. The pavillion is set above the fountain pool with steps down into the water, that invite guests to sit and relax and enjoy the cool breeze coming off the fountain.
It is important to note the difference between night and day at the World War II Memorial. There is a significant change in mood from daylight to night fall. In sunlight, the World War II Memorial is a vibrant and inviting space to congregate and cool off by the fountain. In daytime hours visitors stop to rest and enjoy the panoramic view of surrounding monuments that the memorial offers.
However, at night the pillars and fountain are flooded with light; while the beauty of the memorial is still breathtaking the remembering is quieter--by night the memorial becomes a space that is more somber and reflective. The change in tone upon sunset might possibly stem from the emphasis drawn to the pillars by nightfall. The eye is immediately drawn to the pillars, not for their white color and size in an open space, but for their brightness in the dark of the night. The light shining on each pillar draws the eye to their faces, which are adorned with the name of each state, territory, and a wreath.
This is a very interesting and important transition. Is it the daylight that provides the jubilant and celebratory ambiance to the monument? While the nighttime flood of lights on the memorial represent pensiveness and reflection? Can the true message of the memorial only be appreciated fully in the nighttime? Or is the point of the memorial to offer a communal space to symbolize the communal war effort of the nation?
Along with the white granite structure, the symmetry and neatness of the memorial also draw the eye. The tranquil nature of the symmetric design with the Rainbow Fountain pool in the center invite its visitors to come, remember and celebrate.
The most direct message emanated from the memorial is it’s honoring of the states and territories. The memorial includes each state and territory to acknowledge their valor and contribution to the war effort.
In World War II, a gold star was a symbol for family sacrifice. On the Freedom Wall located on the West side of the memorial are 4,000 sculpted bronze stars. These gold stars symbolize the 400,000 American soldiers that died with valor for the cause.
Amidst all the physical symbols for remembrance that the memorial includes, there are people who simply stop to rest and congregate by the fountain or take photos. It is not an unusual sight at the memorial to see children playing in the fountain or people sitting with their shoes off, feet dipped in the fountain pool. There are patrons that ride bikes and electric scooters through the memorial using the honorary ramps for easier access to bike paths along the National Mall.
There are visitors who pause to take photos. However, in most cases people first pause to take photos with the view that the memorial provides of the National Mall. They are not necessarily compelled to enter the pavillion and to look around at each of the pillars or read the many plaques surrounding the memorial. The memorial is therefore portrayed in media as a breathtaking view of the National Mall, but not for the remembrance it symbolizes.
Perhaps it is the communal space of the park surrounding the memorial, as well as its location on the National Mall across from the Lincoln Memorial that draw the crowds who come to rest with their feet in the Rainbow Fountain.
I think the memorial has this particularly central location among the other monuments because it is meant as a community space. The park surrounding it invites those passing by on any regular day to come in and appreciate the beauty. A single communal space to remember a war in which our country acted as a community.