The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. The memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was opened to the public April 29 and dedicated May 29. Its principal features are the memorial plaza and the restored historic Rainbow Pool. MOAA asked visitors to the memorial to give us their impressions. Their responses are on the following pages. For more information about the memorial, go to the National Park Service Web site at www.nps.gov/nwwm or call (202) 619-7222.

"I’m here to honor my father. He fought with the Marine Corps in Tinian and was wounded in Saipan. I wish he were alive to see this. He was proud of being an American, a veteran, and a Marine. And I follow in his footsteps. It’s 50 years too late, but I think the memorial does justice to our veterans. It’s architecturally beautiful and only enhances the Mall. It looks like it’s been
here forever.”

— Michael McLane, a Vietnam War veteran from Dalton, Pa.

"We were here in May for the dedication. Boy, was it crowded. Now I’m back for my reunion with the 63rd Infantry Division. I fought in Europe, France, and Germany. When we came back, we were busy getting our lives back together, getting back into the mainstream. We didn’t think about memorials. Our generation didn’t have the time or the money. The memorial does make me think of the young men today. I wouldn’t be in that battle for nothing—street fighting is as bad as it can get.”

— Leonard Zimmerman, a veteran from Lansing, Mich.

"It’s nice to see all the states on the columns. It makes you think of all the veterans from each state, and all those who died, people from your own hometown. I’ve been learning about it in school, but then coming here really puts it into perspective. My grandfather was in the Navy as a Japanese interpreter. He would have liked being here. It makes me think of the troops today. I’m not sure what is going on, but it’s nice to be able to come here and reflect on all those things.”

— Katie Purdy, a high school senior from Wyoming, Ohio

This is my fourth time visiting the memorial. I think it’s a gorgeous place and a great tribute to the men and women who died. It’s in everyone’s heart—we realize what a great service they did for us. I don’t think we could ever do enough for them. Visiting the memorial also makes you think of the men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan—one day we’re going to have to do something for them. I just wish everyone would come visit the memorial as a way to show their support for those boys and girls over there.”

— Sam Freedman, a Department of Justice employee from Bethesda, Md.

We’re going to look at all the memorials—the World War II Memorial, the Korean Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial. You can tell all the veterans are really enjoying it. I’m glad it’s available for them to see. I look at these bas-relief panels, and I can see that soldiers were doing the same things back then as they are doing now. Looking at the level of dedication, from all over the states, it increases your appreciation for the soldier.”

— Lt. Col. William L. Bialozor, USA, professor of military science at  Slippery Rock University, Pa.

It’s pretty awesome, and I’m very impressed by the memorial. My uncle and my father-in-law served in World War II, and seeing the depictions of scenes on the wall makes me think maybe that was what they were doing. When you see the panels, it gives you a visual, tells a story, makes it seem more real. You really don’t appreciate it when you’re young. When you’re older, you understand more and understand what their sacrifice meant. It makes me glad to be an American.”

— Sandra Gardner, a cancer survivor from Baltimore, Md.