OT: WWII Memorial

Hi Guys
I couldn't believe there was no memorial to WW2 vets, I was in Washington DC several years ago and was stunned by the memorials to your other foreign wars, didn't notice WW2 was missing. The few who remain deserve all the respect we can offer. My father served in the Middle East, Italy and Japan(died 2001). Every secondary school, church and small town has their own memorial, Natonal day of Rememberance is ANZAC Day (25 April). There is also a national memorial in our capital, Wellington, A Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.
Regards
Phil
 
I'm glad it's finally been done, and sad that we took so long. My grandfathers served in WWII: one in the Navy (Atlantic Fleet), the other in the Army (North Africa and Italy). Herman used to talk about how he was on a transport ship bound for the Far East when the captain announced the Japanese surrender. That convoy turned right around and sailed for New York. He said the sound of pistols, trophies and other "contraband" being hurled overboard kept him up all night. :) Of course, he somehow managed to bring that Italian revolver home...

They both would have loved to have been there, but sadly both have passed on. Listening to the coverage on NPR made my teary-eyed: interviews with proud old men, like my grandfathers, recounting their stories to a reporter and a crowd of listeners. I'm glad this was done before we lose them all. I only wish I'd tape recorded some of their stories while they were still here.
 
I echo your sentiment, MKN....


But want to add, as an architect, I'm jaded about the design and what it took to get the actual monument built.

I am certainly very happy that we finally got something built....took way too long.
 
It is definitely about time to honor those who have given all to give us the freedom we have to keep and bear arms, worship as we choose , say what we want, etc,etc. And especially WWII since there are monuments to about all the others. i'm glad it is finally done.Was a very moving time to say the least.

FYI: If anyone happens to be on I-80 in Nebraska they have opened a real nice memorial to all who served in the 20th century. It's just off the freeway and lists all the names of everyone who died in all the wars. It was a quite moving experience. Stop by if you're in the territory.
 
Yep. You knnow what they say--"Slow enuf fer gub'mint work!"

Oops mixed metaphors this early in the day?

Keith
 
If you have ever seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan", you get some sense of the sacrifices made in WWII so we can enjoy freedom today. The landing at Normandy was unforgettable. Those men were all Heroes of the First Order to me.
 
I am surprised that a WW2 memorial has only just been built, there are LOADS over here from the smallest village (every village has a war memorial) to the cenotaph in London. It is a VERY impressive memorial though, I must see it one day.

Semper, one of the things that gets me is that whilst the first chunk of Saving Private Ryan is pretty impressive, it was 1000 times worse on the day!

I was talking to a British veteran of Normandy a short while ago (he was at Pegasus Bridge, one of the first troops to relieve the paras), hell of an experience.
 
Too late for my three uncles and step-dad, who served in WWII. They all passed on years ago. A good thing but so very tardy.
 
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