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Posted on 05/29/2004 12:02:43 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 Washington, D.C. National Mall  The memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is 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. It will inspire future generations of Americans, deepening their appreciation of what the World War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and democracy. Above all, the memorial stands as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded together in a common and just cause.  The National World War II Memorial design recognizes that the site itself pays special tribute to America's WWII generation. The memorial design creates a special place within the vast openness of the National Mall to commemorate the sacrifice and celebrate the victory of WWII, yet remains respectful and sensitive to its historic surroundings. The vistas from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial and the site's park-like setting are preserved, and the double row of elm trees that flank the memorial have been restored. Above all, the design creates a powerful sense of place that is distinct, memorable, evocative and serene.   The memorial plaza and Rainbow Pool are the principal design features of the memorial, unifying all other elements. Two flagpoles flying the American flag frame the ceremonial entrance at 17th Street. The bases of granite and bronze are adorned with the military service seals of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Forces, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Ceremonial steps and ramps lead from 17th Street into the plaza. A series of 24 bronze bas relief panels along the ceremonial entrance balustrades depict America's war years, at home and overseas. Announcements of the memorial are located at the 17th Street ceremonial entrance. Curvilinear ramps at the north and south approaches provide access to the plaza for visitors walking along the existing east-west pathways between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. These ramps provide a gentle entry to the plaza. Granite benches follow the curvilinear rampart walls.  Two 43-foot pavilions serve as markers and entries on the north and south ends of the plaza. Bronze baldacchinos are an integral part of the pavilion design. Four bronze columns support four American eagles that hold a suspended victory laurel to memorialize the victory of the WWII generation. Inlayed on the floor of the pavilions are the WWII victory medal surrounded by the years "1941-1945" and the words "Victory on Land," "Victory at Sea," and "Victory in the Air." These sculptural elements celebrate the victory won in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters.   Fifty-six granite pillars celebrate the unprecedented unity of the nation during WWII. The pillars are connected by a bronze sculpted rope that symbolizes the bonding of the nation. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia are represented by a pillar adorned with oak and wheat bronze wreaths and inscribed with its name. The 17-foot pillars are open in the center for greater transparency, and ample space between each allows viewing into and across the memorial.  Within a commemorative area at the western side of the memorial is recognized the sacrifice of America's WWII generation and the contribution of our allies. A field of 4,000 sculpted gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives. During WWII, the gold star was the symbol of family sacrifice.  The historic waterworks of the Rainbow Pool are completely restored and contribute to the celebratory nature of the memorial. The design provides seating along the pool circumference for visitors. Semi-circular fountains at the base of the two memorial pavilions and waterfalls flanking the Freedom Wall complement the waterworks in the Rainbow Pool.  Two-thirds of the 7.4-acre memorial site is landscaping and water, allowing the memorial to nestle comfortably within its park-like setting. The ceremonial entrance has three large lawn panels between the monumental steps. The double row of elm trees has been restored to their original splendor, and a replanting plan replaced unhealthy trees. A landscaped contemplative area is located at the northwestern corner of the site. Canopies of flowering trees augment re-seeded lawns.  The memorial is constructed of bronze and granite. Granite was chosen for its aesthetic appeal, superior strength, and durability. Water resistance was another important criterion. The two principal stones selected for the memorial are “Kershaw” for the vertical elements and “Green County” for the main plaza paving stone. “Kershaw” is quarried in South Carolina, while “Green County” is quarried in Georgia. Two green stones – “Rio Verde” and “Moss Green” – were used for accent paving on the plaza. Both are quarried in Brazil. "Academy Black" and "Mount Airy" were used to reconstruct the Rainbow Pool. “Mount Airy,” quarried in North Carolina, is the original coping stone of the Rainbow Pool. To enhance the aesthetic appearance of the water surface of the pool, an apron of “Academy Black,” quarried in California, were used for the vertical interior surfaces.  Length (back of arch to back of arch): 384’ Width (back of basin behind Freedom Wall to bottom of ceremonial entrance): 279’ Plaza: 337’-10” long; 240’-2” wide; 6’ below grade Rainbow Pool: 246’-9” long; 147’-8” wide Ceremonial entrance: 148’-3” wide; 147’-8” long (curb to plaza) 2 Arches: 43’ above grade; 23’ square 56 Pillars: 17’ above grade; 4’4” wide; 3’ deep Freedom Wall: 84’-8” wide; 9’ high from plaza floor; 41’-9” radius      |
On this Day In History
Birthdates which occurred on May 29:
1627 Anne of Orléans duchess of Montpensier (Grand Mademoiselle)
1630 Charles II king of England (1660-85)
1730 William Jackson composer
1736 Patrick Henry US, patriot "Give me liberty or give me death"
1810 Erasmus Darwin Keyes Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1895
1810 Solomon Meredith Brevet Major General (Union volunteers),died in 1875
1824 Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox Major General (Confederate Army)
1825 David Bell Birney Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1864
1826 Ebenezer Butterick inventor (tissue paper dress pattern)
1827 Reuben Lindsay Walker Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1890
1860 Isaac [Manuel F] Albéniz Spanish pianist/composer (Iberia)
1864 A H Borgesius Dutch amateur astronomer
1874 Gilbert Keith Chesterton England, journalist/poet/critic/novelist (Man Who Made Gold)
1880 Oswald Spengler Germany, philosopher (Decline of the West)
1885 Erwin F Finlay-Freundlich British astronomer
1894 Beatrice Lillie Toronto, comedian/actress (Around World in 80 Days)
1894 Josef von Sternberg Austrian director (Der blaue Engel)
1903 Bob Hope [Leslie Townes] Kent England, entertainer/comedian
1909 Neil R[onald] Jones US, sci-fi author (Space War, Twin Worlds)
1916 Carl M Story fiddler
1917 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Brookline MA, (Senator-D-MA), 35th President (1961-1963)
1918 Herb Shriner humorist/TV host (Herb Shriner Show)
1932 Paul Erlich environmental scientist/nutcase
1938 Francis Thomas (Fay) Vincent baseball commissioner
1939 Al Unser auto racer (Indianapolis 500-1970, 71)
1939 Martin Garrod Commandant General Royal Marines
1942 Kevin Conway New York NY, actor (Sgt Kilrain- Gettsburg)
1949 Gary Brooker Essex England, rock keyboardist (Procol Harum)
1952 Louise Cooper UK, sci-fi author (Nemesis, Inferno, Infanta, Nocturne)
1953 Danny Elfman Los Angeles CA, composer (Simspon Show Theme)
1955 John Hinckley Jr shot & wounded President Reagan in 1981
1956 LaToya Yvette Jackson Gary IN, singer (posed in Playboy, Millipede)
1960 Adrian Paul London England, actor (Dance to Win, Highlander)
1973 Tiffany M Sloan Orange County CA, playmate (October 1992)
In this household, as I'm sure it is in MANY others, every day is Memorial Day.Thanks Radu.
Morning Aeronaut. Great tagline. ;-)
Humal, see my post 2 above. You can search names and you can still add names.
Hi Sam, and thanks.
It is a bit confusing. The bottom line is you can add names for the database of anyone you want, even those on the home front. They are separate databases/lists from the others. I think without that clarification it was confusing.
Thanks CJ. It is too bad so many, that about 2/3rds of those that served are no longer here to see it. But I hear it has a great aerial view. ;-)
Good Morning Humal.
Oh my goodness. Someone is going to have to pick me up off the floor! LOL. We sure have missed you around here. Do you realize that for over a year we looked forward to you being ever "present". Glad to see your back in business!
Welcome back!!
Good Morning snopercod.
Morning E.G.C. It's trying to be nice here today but I think we'll get some rain.
Thank you, CholeraJoe's Dad.
You better believe it!
Welcome to the Foxhole, CholeraJoe's Dad. :-)
Thanks for your service, twinmag.
Amen.
Good morning Samwise.
Agreed, those of us who still have it will just have to work harder to cover for those who don't.
Good Morning Feather.
Morning tomball.
I just hope none of the politicians use this dedication to make political points. This is the WWII generations day.
Thanks for CholeraJoe too. We kinda like him around here!
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