DC War Memorial

DC War Memorial

Still straying from our Roadtrippers itinerary, our self guided tour of the National Mall eventually brought us to the DC War Memorial.  Tucked back from the road, the memorial has sort of a surreal presence to it.

We took a few minutes at this stop as it was a quiet, serene place to just reflect about what it stood for.  Standing inside the memorial, we took in the beauty of the architecture and the marble with which the memorial was built.

We talked about why it was built and who it was built to honor.  We of course talked about war and how it impacted our nation and our people.  It was a nice little stop to learn a little history and reflect on our past.

My son did absolutely amazing taking everything in and understanding what it all stood for.  As a history buff, this was one of the memorials he really appreciated and honored.  He even gave a solute as we were leaving the memorial.

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About DC War Memorial

The DC War Memorial was designed to be a memorial and bandstand so that each concert within would be a tribute to those who served and sacrificed in World War I.  The memorial is built almost entirely of Vermont marble and stands 47 feet high and 44 feet in diameter.  It is large enough to accommodate the entire U.S. Marine Band.

Standing on a four-foot-high circular marble platform, the memorial is the only District memorial on the National Mall, symbolizing the unique distinction of Washington, D.C. being a local entity as well as the federal city.

The 499 DC residents who died in service during World War I have their names inscribed around the circular platform.  The memorial also includes this inscription:

The names of the men and women from the District of Columbia who gave their lives in the World War are here inscribed as a perpetual record of their patriotic service to their country.  those who fell and those who survived have given to this and to future generations an example of high idealism courageous sacrifice and gallant achievement.

The original plans for the memorial were submitted in 1919 by architect Frederick H. Brooke, a veteran of the war.  He worked with two other veterans, Nathan C. Wyeth and Horace W. Peaslee to prepare the plans with the passage of Resolution 28 in 1924.  Construction completed in 1931.  President Herbert Hoover dedicated the memorial on November 11, 1931, during the national observance of Armistice Day.

Located in the National Mall at 900 Ohio Drive SW, the monument is free to visit and open 24/7/365.  Phone: (202) 426-6841.

Summary

This was not a long stop by any means.  We only spent about 5 or 10 minutes at this memorial reading the information board and taking everything in.  It was a quiet place for sure, very pretty location.

I definitely recommend stopping by and visiting this memorial if you’re in the area.

Have you been there?  I’d love to hear what you thought of it.  Did you learn anything you didn’t already know?

Please drop a few lines in the comments box below and let me know how your visit went.

In the meantime, safe travels!

~Kris M.

P.S.  If you happen to use travel journals, be sure to check out the travel journal I created for my future Washington DC Road Trips.

Written by Kris M.