World War II Memorial: The Rainbow Pool

The National World War II Memorial was dedicated to both the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the war, and to those who were supporting the troops back home. The site is located in non-other than Washington DC, it was designed by an architect named Friedrich St. Florian, and the construction of the memorial began in September of 2001. The memorial was opened to the public on April 29, 2004 and was dedicated to those who gave up their lives, and those who fought beside them but survived. The site rests on a 7.4-acre area, but the actual memorial is only the size of a small football field; the remaining acres of the land are covered in trees, small ponds, walking paths, and shrubs.

Although, the memorial itself may seem rather small compared

to the large surrounding area, it is made up of 5 main parts. Each of those parts grasping the ability to pull different emotions from each of the memorial’s visitors. Not only does each part reach the visitors on a deeper, more emotional level, but the different parts also serve as symbols, that represent a bigger picture. The memorial is covered in many parts that act as symbols, and the architect is able to create an atmosphere of loss, sacrifice, appreciation, gratitude, and reflection, through the memorial, all in the same location.
One of the most popular images that come to mind when discussing the memorial is the Rainbow Pool.

The Rainbow Pool is a beautiful piece of the memorial, that is located at the heart of the site. The beauty of the pool is extremely difficult to put into words, especially if attempting to explain its appearance at night when the water is reflecting all the different lights that are put into the pool. This pool creates a sense of peacefulness and allows those who sit near it to have a moment of clear thinking, and reflection of World War II and of those who lost their lives in it. This pool is very popular with tourists, and those who generally have the desire to visit the memorial. Those visitors can dangle their feet in the shallow pool, the soothing cool water serves to create a sense of clarity during their important moments of

reflection.
There are 56 granite pillars surrounding the Rainbow Pool, and the memorial itself.

The granite pillars are each connected by ropes, these ropes are sculped from bronze metals. The image of the pillars being connected by ropes create image that serves as a symbol of unity; the unity of most Americans during World War II. Each of the pillars stand to be seventeen feet high, as a representation of the strength of America. The atmosphere created by these pillars is both, a feeling of pride, and a sense of appreciation for those who protect us, and for the ability to live in a country that supplies its citizens with so many freedoms.

Another part of the Memorial has come to be known as “The Freedom Wall.” The Freedom Wall is a concrete wall covered in 4,048 gold stars, each single star stands to commemorate 100 American soldiers who laid down his own life in the desire to protect America, and those whom they loved who were citizens of such a great country. This famous wall creates an absolute atmosphere of appreciation, while embracing feelings of loss, and acknowledging the sacrifice that so many of Americans made, in hopes to protect their own freedoms, and the freedoms of their

families.
Not only does the 4,048 golden stars stand as a representation of those who lost their lives at war, but there are 24 bronze panels that have depict different scenes and images from World War II. The depictions are sculped to tell the stories of the troops. The 24 panels are split into 2 sections, equally split apart to behave as a pathway. These sculptures line the main entrance for the memorial and produce the initial atmosphere felt by the visitors. Of the 24 panels, 12 of them are dedicated to the victories America found in the Pacific which are lined together to act as a wall. The remaining 12 act as another wall adjacent to the first, those 12 panels are depicting the victories found in the Atlantic. The atmosphere that is created by these panels is that of one with appreciation and gratitude for those men.
The final piece that ties the memorial together isn’t just one seldom thing, but rather 2 significantly large arch ways. Each of the arches are on opposing sides of the memorial, and each of them are labeled by the victories they commemorate. Just as the 24 panels depicted the victories felt in the Pacific and Atlantic battles, the archways are labeled with the same victories. Inside each of the archways there are bronze columns supporting 2 separate eagled holding what is known as “victory laurels.” This also creates a sense of accomplishment, victory, and pride felt by Americans.
There are many monuments and memorials that are located in the United States, along with the others spread across the globe, but non of those compare to the World War II memorial. Most monuments only stand for the victory or discovery of one person, idea, or invention, while this famous site commemorates the lives of thousands, upon thousands of American soldiers. Not only does it commemorate the victory felt by the soldiers, but it creates such a unique atmosphere that no other site could, one that captures a sense and understanding for loss, one that embraces and commemorates sacrifice, one that draws appreciation, one that demands gratitude, and finally, one that allows pure reflection. That, is what makes the World War II monument such an important and vital piece to the United States of America.