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Washington D.C. War Memorial Video Tours

Western Pennsylvania is home to a great number of veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Services.  Many of these service men and servicewomen have served and sacrificed in one or more of our Nation's wars.

Recognizing that not everyone may have the opportunity to visit these sites in person, I have organized the following video tours of the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorials in our nation's capitol.  The tours are between thirty and forty five minutes long and each is guided by National Park Service Ranger who provides an in depth explanation of each memorial, highlighting the symbolic meanings behind the statues and design of each memorial.

Please take the time to watch these tours and to honor our nation's military heroes.

World War II Memorial | Website
- Running time 44 minutes

The Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world. It will inspire future generations of Americans, deepening their appreciation of what the World War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and democracy. 

Friedrich St. Florian's winning design balances classical and modernist styles of architecture, harmonizes with its natural and cultural surroundings, and connects the legacy of the American Revolution and the American Civil War with the great crusade to rid the world of fascism.  Above all, the memorial stands as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded together in a common and just cause.
(National Park Service, 2006)

National Park Service Tribute to WWII and the WWII Memorial

Korean War Memorial | Website
- Running time 27 minutes

The Korean War Memorial finds the expression of American gratitude to those who restored freedom to South Korea. Nineteen stainless steel sculptures stand silently under the watchful eye of a sea of faces upon a granite wall—reminders of the human cost of defending freedom. These elements all bear witness to the patriotism, devotion to duty, and courage of Korean War veterans.  The statues depicting fighting men on patrol represent the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force working together for a common goal - victory. A granite mural of over two thousand sandblasted photographs honors the supporting services who provided supply, medical, spiritual, and fire support to the frontline units. The United Nations Wall on the opposite side lists the countries that provided troops, medical support, or supplies to help South Korea.  All these elements point toward the Pool of Remembrance where the sacrifice of 54,246 American lives can be contemplated. It is here where an inscription summarizes the true meaning of the memorial: "OUR NATION HONORS HER SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY NEVER KNEW AND A PEOPLE THEY NEVER MET."

The Korean War has often been referred to as the "forgotten war" because it came on the heels of World War II and was overshadowed by the Vietnam War. Korea like Vietnam, was part of the Cold War to stop the advancement of Communism in Southeast Asia. When the Communist troops of North Korea invaded the democratic Republic of South Korea, the United States became involved through a promise of support given to the president of South Korea. It was feared that this tiny peninsula would be the setting for the eruption of World War Three. When the United Nations joined forces with the United States and the Republic of South Korea to stop the invasion, this fear was justified. North Korea not only had the support of the Soviet Union government, but also the military support of China.
(National Park Service, 2006)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Website
- Running time 29 minutes

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which was created to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, has worked in partnership with the National Park Service to care for the Memorial since it was dedicated in 1982.
(National Park Service, 2006)