Happy Memorial Day, 2026!…read more
Many people typically enjoy Memorial Day by spending extra quality time with family and friends, and enjoying the unofficial start of summer. For others, this day is appreciated because it means they get to have a three-day weekend, enabling one to relax and enjoy life a little more. I always enjoy Memorial Day for these reasons, but I also take part of the day to remember those who have served this country and to mourn the loss of those who died in the process.
In addition, I always take time every Memorial Day to remember my own loved ones who served this wonderful country. I would struggle to think of any person more honorable than someone willing to serve their country. I have had six family members who have served in the U.S. military, four of whom served during World War II. My grandfather was one of those individuals, and he served this country through active duty in Nazi Germany during World War II. I thank the good Lord that he came back, and that I actually got to spend quality time with him almost daily for the first 25 years of my life. He was not only an honorable American, but he was an amazing grandfather to me, as well as a wonderful mentor and a good friend.
I am also thankful that the World War II Memorial was created to honor those who fought in this terrible war. World War II lasted from September of 1939 to September of 1945, so the creation of this memorial in 2004 was long overdue. The World War II Memorial is located in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It was dedicated to Americans who served during World War II, both in the armed forces and as civilians.
The memorial consists of 56 granite pillars, decorated with bronze laurel wreaths, with each representing a U.S. state or territory. The memorial also has a pair of triumphal arches for the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, all surrounding an oval plaza and fountain. On its short axis is a memorial wall of 4,048 gold stars, with each star representing 100 of the Americans who died in this war.
Unfortunately, I also have to highlight something that was negative about my visit to this location as well. During the second Trump administration, numerous government organizations have had drastic cuts in funding from a "chainsaw cutting mentality," which eliminated about a quarter million federal employees with the assistance of Trump's cronies at DOGE. The National Park Service (NPS) was one of these government agencies that had drastic cuts, and the World War II Memorial is maintained by NPS. Sadly, I could see the negative effects of these actions in three key areas while here: (1) many nearby restrooms were not adequately maintained, (2) the primary fountain and other water-filled parts of the World War II Memorial were not operational, and (3) the adjacent Infinity Pool was quite dirty. Although this was a negative during my specific visit, and poorly represents the respect that this location deserves, I'm sure that the World War II Memorial will be returned to its pristine state of honor and respect once we have a new/better President.
If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, I highly encourage you to make this one of the places you visit. While you are here, it will be an excellent opportunity to pay your respects to the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, with over 400 thousand being our men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.