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There are some truly amazing memorials out there, whether in Washington, DC, at a hometown location, OCONUS, or anywhere else around the world; many are epic works of art in their own right, some are well known (with a national or international audiences), while others quietly tell their story relatively unknown to the masses. So, what's your most memorable military or military-related display or memorial? Where's it located and how/why does it move you? What is it that you find most compelling about the memorial or location? What makes this particular place or time unique, interesting, thought-provoking, moving, or special to you? Please feel free to share your stories, photographs, links, video or anything else needed to tell your story. This should be both fun and informative, and we'll get to learn a bit of history, context, and a little bit about each other in the process; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
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Motivation
Memorial
Motivation Memorial
Edited 10 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 110
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Our Nation is rich with beautiful memorials - both great and small - to our fallen and those who served in every conflict and every era from The Shot Heard 'Round The World all the way up to Operation Enduring Freedom. Like many of you, I've had the good fortune to visit many of these.
I've been blessed to spend a Memorial Day Weekend in Washington, DC; visiting all of the major National Memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. I've been to several Civil War Battlefields and visited the memorials erected by States honoring the fallen from both Armies. I've been to France and visited the WW I Cemeteries and Memorials.
I've even visited a memorial as an official Army dignitary to one of the most shameful acts in U.S. history: the mass-execution of 38 Dakota Indians at Mankato, Minnesota on 26 DEC 1862, in the wake of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. This was the largest mass-execution in U.S. history. 308 men were originally condemned, but President Lincoln commuted the sentences of all but 38. In 2005, I was one of three Officers asked to represent the Army at an annual commemoration ceremony on the anniversary of the event. It was a powerful and humbling experience. The giant white buffalo stands as the Dakota memorial at the site of the gallows.
My personal favorite memorial however, is approximately 70 miles east in Rochester, Minnesota. Soldier's Field Memorial Park is truly a beautiful and dignified tribute to those who have fallen and answered the call during times of conflict from southeastern Minnesota. I have a personal connection to this memorial. It's walkway is lined with pavers with the names of Servicemen and women, along with their branch of service, rank, dates of service, campaigns, and dates of service. I have many friends honored here, as well as my grandpa, Dad, a Lieutenant, several NCOs, and, to my humble surprise, myself. My parents purchased a paver for me while I was in Iraq. On the granite wall, the names of the fallen are inscribed, listed by conflict, alphabetically, by year. On the perimeter of the memorial are various pieces of military equipment, including an Iraqi anti-aircraft gun that my former Company, the 79th MP, captured in the First Gulf War. When I visit this memorial, I feel very grounded, all at once connected with the past, comfortable in the present, and at peace with the future of this nation.
I've been blessed to spend a Memorial Day Weekend in Washington, DC; visiting all of the major National Memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. I've been to several Civil War Battlefields and visited the memorials erected by States honoring the fallen from both Armies. I've been to France and visited the WW I Cemeteries and Memorials.
I've even visited a memorial as an official Army dignitary to one of the most shameful acts in U.S. history: the mass-execution of 38 Dakota Indians at Mankato, Minnesota on 26 DEC 1862, in the wake of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. This was the largest mass-execution in U.S. history. 308 men were originally condemned, but President Lincoln commuted the sentences of all but 38. In 2005, I was one of three Officers asked to represent the Army at an annual commemoration ceremony on the anniversary of the event. It was a powerful and humbling experience. The giant white buffalo stands as the Dakota memorial at the site of the gallows.
My personal favorite memorial however, is approximately 70 miles east in Rochester, Minnesota. Soldier's Field Memorial Park is truly a beautiful and dignified tribute to those who have fallen and answered the call during times of conflict from southeastern Minnesota. I have a personal connection to this memorial. It's walkway is lined with pavers with the names of Servicemen and women, along with their branch of service, rank, dates of service, campaigns, and dates of service. I have many friends honored here, as well as my grandpa, Dad, a Lieutenant, several NCOs, and, to my humble surprise, myself. My parents purchased a paver for me while I was in Iraq. On the granite wall, the names of the fallen are inscribed, listed by conflict, alphabetically, by year. On the perimeter of the memorial are various pieces of military equipment, including an Iraqi anti-aircraft gun that my former Company, the 79th MP, captured in the First Gulf War. When I visit this memorial, I feel very grounded, all at once connected with the past, comfortable in the present, and at peace with the future of this nation.
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Without a doubt the Tomb of the Unknown. It resonates with honor, respect, and commitment from our nation to our war dead even though they remain unnamed. So much respect is shown by not only the tomb guards and commanders, but also the nation by providing that commitment, and the public for their continued support and respect when they visit.
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The Navy Memorial on Utah Beach. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to see the beaches, towns and memorials in the Normandy area. Whenever I was in a group who was frustrated with the number of ships and units participating in a landing, I always reminded them it was nothing in comparison to D-Day.
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I also am in awe of the Korean War memorial. I look at each of the figures and see poses and actions I have been in at one or another point in my career. It accurately and respectfully captures the principles of the patrol.
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The Tomb of the Unknown is by far my favorite. The commitment, the precision, and professionalism of the men vigilantly keeping guard lend to the reverence of the memorial. I've had the opportunity to stay at Ft. Myer on a few occasion and always make it a point to walk onto Arlington at the Church gate and visit the Tomb.
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