World War II Memorial
Dateline: 2/27/2000
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American veterans, the citizens on the home front, and the nation at large will at last have a memorial to World War II, "the defining event of the 20th century in American history," according to the American Battle Monuments Commission, if enough money can be raised.
So far, the national WWII Memorial fund raising campaign, chaired by former Sen. Bob Dole, has raised more than $70 million of the $100 million needed for design, construction, and maintenance. Support has come from corporations, foundations, veterans groups, civic, fraternal and professional associations, states and individual Americans.
On Mar. 24, 1999, U.S. Rep. Bob Stump (R. Arizona) introduced H.R. 1247 a Bill to "expand the fund raising authorities of the American Battle Monuments Commission to expedite the establishment of the World War II memorial in the District of Columbia and to ensure adequate funds for the repair and long-term maintenance of the memorial, and for other purposes." [Press Release]
H.R. 1247 would authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to briefly borrow up to $65 million from the U.S. Treasury to ensure timely completion of the memorial and greatly increase its authority to collect funds and seek volunteer assistance. [Click here for complete summary.]
If H.R. 1247 becomes law, construction of the WWII Memorial could start as early as Veteran's Day 2000 (Nov. 11) and be completed in three years.
Location of the Memorial
The WWII memorial will be located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. at the
Rainbow Pool site at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln
Memorial and the Washington Monument. The Korean War Veterans Memorial, the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the District of Columbia World War I Memorial are all
nearby. [Architects'
Site Sketch] President Clinton dedicated the
memorial site during a formal ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1995.
Memorial Design Concept
The World War II Memorial will commemorate and celebrate the incredible
unanimous sacrifice and support freely offered by military veterans of the war,
the citizens on the home front, and the nation at large.
"Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th century in American history, the memorial will be a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people, to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world." -- American Battle Monuments Commission
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