WASHINGTON, May 28 (UPI) -- More than half a century after the United States joined the fight to end Nazism, its military veterans and their families converged on Washington this week to accept a long-anticipated vote of thanks.
Saturday's dedication of the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall will mark the fruition of over 11 years of fundraising, construction and politicking over the most appropriate way to commemorate the United States' 4-year involvement in the war, and will simultaneously compliment the renowned Washington monument panorama that embodies the principles, achievements and perseverance of U.S. democracy.
Following years of structure revision, site disputes and building impediments, construction of the predominantly granite memorial, began in September 2001 and was finished in early April. The new monument represents an impressive ensemble of granite masonry, including ornate pillars, pylons, balconies and statues, and bronzed ropes, wreaths, eagles and stars, handiwork that has brought almost universal praise from veterans and their families.
In acknowledgement of a rapidly dwindling veteran population, the American Battle Monuments Commission, which coordinated the construction and will oversee operations of the memorial, opened the monument to the public April 29, a month prior to this Memorial Day weekend's official festivities. While the weekend's festivities will be unmistakably patriotic, the atmosphere will also include a somber feel, with a likely unprecedented amount of paramedics and treatment centers on hand should any of the attending war veterans, whose average age is 79, require medical treatment.
Security will also be prevalent at this weekend's event, following Attorney General John Ashcroft's announcement this week that al-Qaida is finalizing plans for a major attack inside the United States. The dedication ceremony this weekend is drawing attention as the first of several potential targets for attack, both for symbolic meaning and sheer number of potential casualties. The Democratic and Republican national conventions later this summer will also incorporate heightened security measures.
Commemoration events for the World War II Memorial began Thursday, the first of four days of reunions for war veterans began at several locations along the National Mall. The reunions will include meeting sites and message boards where veterans may locate each other, a Smithsonian Institution-sponsored display of World War II-era military equipment, live performances of Big Band music, and a pavilion where veterans may share stories. Friday's tributes include performances at the MCI Center, where personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will perform musical numbers for the veteran's families.
"It's just really great to be down here with these (veterans)," said John Henson, senior vice president of communications for USO World Headquarters, which is organizing many of the pre-dedication ceremonies. "It's great to see their faces light up. When the veterans see the USO, it reminds them of when they were in the service, where they could go to get a cup of coffee or a Coke, just to get away from combat for a while. That's really the atmosphere we're trying to re-create here.
"One solider told us about how he met Lana Turner at the USO, another said he practically went AWOL to get out to a beach to wait for Bob Hope," he continued. "Others tell us about how they met their wives at the USO. There are some really great stories out here, and the veterans are really beginning to want to tell some of them."
Saturday's official ceremonies will begin with a religious service at the National Cathedral in Washington. The official dedication of the monument will begin at noon between the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial. The ceremony will include a celebrity introduction from key luminaries including actor Tom Hanks, television news anchorman Tom Brokaw and former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., who have each made professional, financial and emotional contributions to remembrance of the war. President Bush will officially dedicate the monument on behalf of the American people.
Saturday's event is expect to draw more than 500,000 people to the National Mall, with the veterans experiencing a wave of pride and nostalgia that has made this dedication ceremony, long overdue in the eyes of many, a little more gratifying.
"This event is really going to be something," said Henson. "This is a really big opportunity for the veterans. They finally get a chance to see this (monument of appreciation) from the American people, and they're such an affirming crowd to be around, just wonderful people. (Americans) are spoiled, in a sense, but these (soldiers) made us that way."
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