Veterans and tourists crowd the National Mall before the dedication ceremony of the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004. From foreground at left is the Reflection Pool, the World War II Memorial and the Washington Monument, with the U.S. Capitol in the background.
Congress authorized construction of the memorial in 1993, but critics complained its large-scale design would spoil the vistas long enjoyed by visitors to the Mall. Courts eventually rejected the challenge, and, as veterans entered their late 70s and in their 80s, it finally was built with a sense of urgency.
(Photo: AP/U.S. Park Police)
Share This Gallery
