What's your favorite "military memorial?"

The Illinois Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park.  Why does it move me?  Not sure why, but it was just jumped into my mind when I read the question.  I am not from Illinois, and if I was I would deny it, but it was truly moving when I toured the site. 

Hard one there Major. First Tour was in Hawaii and I love punchbowl, stopped one place and thought I was near Ernie Pyle's in a mix of simple standard box markers and looked at the one at my feet and sure enough it was his. Did a Tour in DC, Lived at Ft Myers for a Period and everyone should see Tomb of the Unknown, Tomb Guards are a league unto themselves also watched numerous funerals there. One Job that I got Volunteered for Which was very impressive but I would be fine never repeating "Flag Bearer" for a Shipmate from the First Class Mess. Navy Funeral, Full Honors with the Entire Ships Company in Dress Uniform, YN1 Shaw was the Capt's Writer and Mentor to all the 1st Classes in the 1st Class Mess.

Ft. Lewis Memorial Park was moving to me ( http://thesubtimes.com/2009/07/14/fort-lewis-dedicates-memorial-park-july-16/ ) as I had to view the names on the memorial of Soldiers within our Battalion and Brigade that we knew personally knowing that these men served with distinction and honor and performed their duty to its fullest to bring freedom and quality of life to Iraqi families who had long been suffering. Raiders!<br><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.thesubtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/067-09-2009-memorial-park-opens-344x400.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://thesubtimes.com/2009/07/14/fort-lewis-dedicates-memorial-park-july-16/">Fort Lewis dedicates Memorial Park July 16</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Fort Lewis, Wash. - Fort Lewis will honor Soldiers and other Service members who have died in the Global War on Terror when it dedicates Memorial Park Thursday, July 16, at 1 p.m. Memorial Park is ...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Tough one for me.&nbsp; All of the Tombs of the Unknowns are very powerful.&nbsp; I've had the opportunity to see the German and Russian ones in Berlin, and the one in Athens.&nbsp; I have yet to make it to the Arlington one.&nbsp; After those, the American cemetery in Margraten, The Netherlands has always been a favorite, as is the Soviet War Memorial in Berlin (final resting place for 5,000 of the 80,000 Soviet troops that died in the battle for Berlin).&nbsp; My favorite to visit, however, has always been the Mardasson Memorial near Bastogne.<br>

Favorite memorial? &nbsp;I've had the pleasure and honor of visiting quite a few. &nbsp;The USS Arizona, Normandy, memorials up and down the East Coast - some known, some hidden. &nbsp;The Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington... an everlasting symbol of Duty and Honor.<div>When I'm working Honor Flights as a Guardian, we visit the World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial (with the Three Soldiers statue and Nurses Memorial).<br>It took me awhile, but I realized a connection with the three different War Memorials there on the Mall (yes, I know, there's also the DC World War I Memorial which is quiet and contemplative, but oft forgotten).<br>At the World War II Memorial, it's very grand and large. &nbsp;Sweeping themes and unity. &nbsp;At the Gold Star section, there are 4,048 Gold Stars, each representing 100 KIA. &nbsp;There are so many, that they're just lost in the wall of stars.</div><div>At the Vietnam Memorial, its starkness and emotional connection comes in being confronted with the names. &nbsp;There are 58,272 names. &nbsp;Each name is there and as you look, you're reflected in the granite. &nbsp;Very much a self-reflection.</div><div>And then... there's the Korean War Memorial. &nbsp;This one strikes me hard every time. &nbsp;One of the larger concepts is the infantry squad on patrol. &nbsp;They're looking at you, around, each has expressions - expressions familiar to us. &nbsp;Some determined, some gaunt and focused, others looking off in the distance.<br>There's a simple wall with only one inscription - "Freedom is not free."<br>But most hauntingly is the long wall with engravings of scenes from the War. &nbsp;Some are clear, some hazy... like memories... faces stare at you - faces of Soldiers from all sides, civilians... they seem to speak to you hoping that you'll remember them as you walk by. &nbsp;There are stories being told in the scenes and if you don't rush by... there's a lot to see. &nbsp;Yet, most tourists are in a hurry, and the stories go unheard/untold... symbolic again of the "Forgotten War". &nbsp;There's so much in that wall, I never feel like I've seen it the same way twice.</div><div>I can never forget those faces and scenes... they're watching the squad go by on patrol... they're watching us... and I wonder, what do they see?</div>

Mine for sure is the tomb of the unknown soldier! Like so many of us we to along with that brave soul incased in that tomb will slip off into obscurity and in time be forgotten but our tomb or urn will have a name and possibly a rank and service attached but this one Carrie's many names! The names of those that never returned or found! So there they lay guarded by the best of the best. never to be forgotten or slip into obscurity as long as this country stands. When one sees little flags flying on the graves of veterans there is a larger one flying for those that never came back that signed and honoured the contract to protect and serve this country payable up to your health and very life and to this day in a Uniform or not, I will always salute you for your service and thank you for a job well done, to you and yours GI!

Would definitely have to be the 2SCR Memorial at Rose Barracks.

I have two, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and USS. Arizona Memorial.

My first trip to Hawaii was in November 1971 on board the USS Coral Sea. It was our first stop on our way to Vietnam. We docked across the harbor from the USS Arizona. Its hard to put in words how I felt being on a ship whose keel was laid down during WW2 looking at the grave site of 1100 sailors and marines who lost their lives on the first day of America's involvement in WW2.
In March of 2014 I had the privilege of visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It reminds us to never forget the ones who gave their life in service to our country.
My vote goes to the Vietnam Wall as my most memorable military memorial. I have several shipmates and two classmates names on the Wall. It took two trips before I could even approach the Wall. Without the help of my wife I don't think I would of ever been able to visit it. But once I did I came away feeling much better and more at peace with the history of Vietnam than before I visited the Wall.

Pearl Harbor. "A day which will live in infamy."