World War II Memorial
This memorial was among the first in this country to honor those who served in World War II, with a focus on nearly 6,000 Washington residents who lost their lives in battle.
Facts
About World War II Memorial
The project was started in 1995 when the State Legislature dedicated $50,000 towards the cause. Olympia resident Simon Kogan was selected from among 42 entrants to design the monument.
His design was inspired by the first stanza of the song "America the Beautiful," and features a cluster of five 14-feet-tall bronze blades, which bend into a shape mirroring the capitol dome. Each blade symbolizes a military unit employed in the war and features shadowy images of soldiers and officers.
Up close, you will see that the ghost-like figures are formed using the etched names of Washington state’s war casualties. The bronze blades contain the names of the nearly 6,000 Washingtonians who were killed in the war, and a bronze plaque gives a summary of WWII events.
Large granite stones are engraved with major battles fought by year. Over 3,000 granite tiles are inscribed with personal messages from project donors. You can use the WW II Memorial Tile Search to read inscriptions and find tile locations.
Another bronze plaque is inscribed with:
"When my country called, I answered… When my country asked, I gave… Reach out now, across the years and through the tears… Remember me."
- A WWII Veteran.
