Memorials and Monuments


The idea for a World War II Memorial sprang from an Army veteran, Roger Durbin, who lived in the Toledo area. Mr. Durbin approached me in 1987 to ask why with all the monuments and memorials in our nation’s capital, there were none dedicated to World War II. Later that year I introduced legislation to create this memorial. Seventeen years later it was built. The World War II Memorial commemorates that profound period between 1939 and 1945 that forged the 20th century. It recognizes the service of the millions of Americans who served our country at home and abroad. This memorial honors every citizen who bought a war bond, who planted a victory garden, who used ration cards for gasoline and food, who produced the good and fiber to feed and cloth our troops, who sailed the ships, ran the railroads, who flew the planes to supply our fighting forces, and those who fought and those who died protecting democracy and freedom.

Located on 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, the Word War II Memorial is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

Metro: Smithsonian

Union Station (Senate).

Open daily October through March from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and April through September from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Custis-Lee Mansion and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is performed every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. Narrated bus tour: Adults $2.75 and Children $1.25 (the buses run one half hour after opening to one half hour before closing).

Telephone: (703) 607-8052. Metro: Arlington National Cemetery.

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The National Parks Service offers a tour of the bell tower with a splendid view of the city. The lines for this tour are normally much shorter than for the Washington Monument.

Telephone: (202) 606-8691. Metro: Federal Triangle or Navy Memorial.

Route 50 near Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Open 24 hours daily. This 78 foot memorial commemorating all the Marines who have died in battle since 1775. Depicts the American Flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi during World War II.

Telephone: (703) 285-2600. Metro: Rosslyn.

South bank of the Tidal Basin. Open 24 hours daily. At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddle boat to cruise on the Basin. Also located near the Jefferson Memorial are an abundance of Japanese Cherry Trees, which come into full bloom during the early spring.

Telephone: (202) 426-6821. Metro: Smithsonian.

West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, NW. Open 24 hours daily.

Telephone: (202) 426-6895. Metro: Foggy Bottom - GWU.

Located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The hours for the visitors center are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m.

Telephone: (202) 737-2300. Metro: Navy Memorial.

Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, NW. Open 24 hours daily. Constructed of black granite to honor all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a special tribute to those who did not return, the names of more than 58,000 who gave their lives or who remain missing are inscribed in the Memorial's walls. The names are in chronological order. Also, the Frederick Hart statue of three young combat soldiers is located 100 feet from the memorial.

Telephone: (202) 426-6841. Metro: Foggy Bottom - GWU.

On the Mall at 15th Street, NW. Open daily April through Labor Day from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. September through March from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Telephone: (202) 426-6841. Metro: Smithsonian.

The memorial stands in West Potomac Park, between the Tidal Basin and the Potomac River. At the front entrance is an information area and a book shop. Park rangers are available from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, except on Christmas Day. The memorial is located on West Basin Drive, off Ohio Drive SW, just west of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin. The main entrance and book store is on West Basin Drive. Pedestrians also can enter the memorial from the east side Cherry Blossom walk.

Telephone: (202) 376-6704. Metro: Smithsonian (about a half hour walk).