Today, you can go to virtually any major city across the world and find moving memorials to veterans. From the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, to the ANZAC War Memorial in Sydney, these have been built to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for their countries in various battles and wars.
While these monuments often highlight dark times, they are very important to visit and remember none the less. No matter where you are across America, the history of not only the country, but also the world, has been shaped by brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.
What you will find when visiting many of these veteran’s memorials is how beautifully designed and built they are. It makes them worth visiting for that alone, never mind the importance behind them.
With Veteran’s Day coming up, we’ll take a look at some beautiful Veteran’s memorials to visit the next time you’re in any of these cities.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
Smack in the center of Indianapolis, Indiana you’ll find the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. Standing just under 300 feet high, it commemorates the memory of those who fought for Indiana from 1776 to 1865. Inside the lowest level of the monument, you’ll also find the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, and you can also climb up to the observation deck for a beautiful panoramic view.
World War II Memorial
One of the more recent veteran’s memorials to be added to the scene is Washington, D.C.’s World War II Memorial. It’s a very beautiful monument no matter when you visit. It is comprised of 56 different pillars that represent each state and territory that had veterans in the war. It also has two large arches for the Atlantic War and Pacific War as well as a reflecting pool in the middle.
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial
Another popular and moving monument to veteran’s in Washington, D.C. is the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. Also known as The Wall, it is a monument unlike many other you’ll see, starting as a small black slab, it grows to include the name of 58,000 Americans who lost their lives during the war. The memorial is open 24 hours a day and is illuminated at night.
National World War I Museum and Memorial
Formerly known as the Liberty Memorial, the nation’s biggest memorial to the veterans of World War I is now the National WW I Museum and Memorial and can be found in Kansas City, Missouri. It has a massive collection of artifacts, as well as insights from the stories of those who were affected by the war, all presented in a modern and interactive format for visitors.
National Memorial Arch
Modeled after the famed Triumphal Arch of Titus in Rome, this beautiful arch was designed by Congress in 1901 to pay a tribute to General George Washington and the Continental Army that he lead in 1777 and 1778. Found in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Unlike many other memorials, this arch is in a beautiful park run by the National Park Service.
These are just a few of the veteran’s memorials you can see if you are in any of these areas. What are some of your favorite memorials? Let us know in the comments!
