Last modified on Fri 16 Apr 2021 02.02 EDT
On a typical day the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington draws old soldiers from that conflict to run their fingers over the names, etched into polished black granite, of more than 58,000 comrades who died.
So the creators of a first world war memorial in the nationâs capital faced a particular challenge: no one who fought in it is still living.
Their answer is a monumental bronze sculpture that features 38 hyper-realistic, larger than figures to depict the great war, accompanied by information panels that tell the story of its origins, costs and consequences.
The memorial opens on Friday with a mostly virtual ceremony featuring Joe Biden, the interior secretary, Deb Haaland, and the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell. The site will raise a flag that has flown over nine first world war battlefield cemeteries in Europe over the past three years and there will be a flyover by the air forceâs 94th Fighter Squadron.
Memorial aims to bring first world war to life for America’s new generations David Smith in Washington
On a typical day the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington draws old soldiers from that conflict to run their fingers over the names, etched into polished black granite, of more than 58,000 comrades who died.
So the creators of a first world war memorial in the nation’s capital faced a particular challenge: no one who fought in it is still living.
Their answer is a monumental bronze sculpture that features 38 hyper-realistic, larger than figures to depict the great war, accompanied by information panels that tell the story of its origins, costs and consequences.
Memorial aims to bring first world war to life for America s new generations msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Search and add WWI Veterans on RollofHonor.org
Honoring WWI Veterans
On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany, entering what was known at the time as “The Great War.” More than 4 million American men from across the country entered military service, 2 million served overseas, about 320,000 experienced wounds or illness, and 116,516 died during the war.
More than 300,000 WWI Veterans have profiles on RollofHonor.org
To commemorate the 100
th anniversary of WWI, the Roll of Honor Foundation in partnership with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission has created a special virtual memorial for the Doughboys of the “Forgotten War.” More than 350,000 WWI Veterans have profiles already created by the non-profit charity to be viewed. The profiles contain the rich histories, medals, units and era-accurate rank insignia.