Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington D.C.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the men and women who served in the Korean War, often referred to as "The Forgotten War." Located in West Potomac Park, on the National Mall in Washington D.C., this memorial was dedicated on July 27, 1995, by President Bill Clinton and the President of South Korea, Kim Young-sam.

The memorial's design includes a group of 19 stainless steel statues, which represent a squad on patrol and draw a powerful emotional response from visitors. The figures, which stand approximately 7-feet tall and are dressed in full combat gear, represent the branches of the armed forces that were present in Korea: the Army, the Marine Corps, the Navy, and the Air Force.

The statues are placed among strips of granite and juniper bushes, which are meant to symbolize the rugged terrain of Korea. When reflected on the wall, the statues appear to number 38, which symbolizes the 38th parallel and the 38 months of the war. The polished black granite wall, which is 164 feet long, is etched with images of supporting troops, equipment, and Navy ships, and it bears the message "Freedom Is Not Free," reminding us of the sacrifices made during the war.

Adjacent to the statues and wall is the United Nations Wall, which lists the 22 member nations of the United Nations that contributed troops or medical support to the Korean War effort. A Pool of Remembrance, surrounded by a grove of trees, offers a place for quiet reflection on the sacrifices made by those who served.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and National Park Service Rangers are on hand to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. The memorial receives millions of visitors each year, who come to pay their respects and to learn about a critical chapter in world history that shaped the geopolitics of the 20th century.