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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.
Credit: AP/U.S. Park Police
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World War II veterans wave as they have their photo taken at the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004. The memorial was officially dedicated earlier in the day.
Credit: AP
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A veteran dances in the aisle as he waits for the dedication of the World War II Memorial to begin, in Washington, May 29, 2004.
Credit: AP
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Pearl Harbor survivor Edward Boruki, 83, of Massachussets, holds a flag and a banner as he waits for the dedication of the World War II Memorial to begin, in Washington, May 29, 2004.
Credit: AP
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World War II veteran Eugene Callahan, of El Paso, Texas, wipes his eyes as he looks at the 4,000 gold stars on the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 28, 2004. Each star represents more than 100 people who died during World War II.
Credit: AP
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Military personnel walk past the World War II Memorial before the start of the dedication ceremonies, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
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Edward White, 97, who served as an Army combat engineer in the 103rd division, sits in the audience on the Mall before the World War II Memorial dedication, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
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Children put their hands in the Rainbow Pool, at the newly dedicated National World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004. The memorial plaza was designed to fit around the restored historic pool.
Credit: AP
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Former Presidents Clinton and Bush smile to the crowd gathered in the bright afternoon sun before the start of the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004.
Credit: AP
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Dignitaries stand at attention during the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004. Front row from left: Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Secretary of Veteras Affairs Anthony Principi. Second row from left: Rep. John Dingell, Joint Chiefs Chairman Richard Myers, Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. Peter Pace and Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee.
Credit: AP
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President Bush speaks during the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004.
Credit: AP
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President Bush puts his hand on his heart during the trooping of the colors at the dedication ceremony of the National World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
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President Bush, right, greets veterans and their family members at the dedication ceremony of the National World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
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President Bush and Tom Hanks hold their hands to their hearts during the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004. Hanks, who starred in the World War II drama "Saving Private Ryan," took part in the memorial's fund raising campaign.
Credit: AP
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World War II veterans Eugene Kaplan, of Columbia, S.C., left, and Rick Swentek, of Chicago, Ill., salute during the national anthem, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
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Korean War Veteran Paul Deal, of Philadelphia, left, and Peggy Siers, of Hayfork, Calif., right, support World War II veteran George Deal, of Junction City, Calif., center, during the dedication ceremony of the National World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004 in Washington.
Credit: AP
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Collis Turner, 81, from Phoenix City, Ala., observes a moment of silence during the dedication of the World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004, in Washington. Turner served in the Army Air Corp in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Credit: AP
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Chester Livgard, 86, center bottom, from Minnesota, sits with other members of the VFW during the dedication ceremony of the World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004, in Washington. Livgard served in the South Pacific as a light artilleryman.
Credit: AP
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Military aircraft past by the Washington Monument during a fly-over at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony of the World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
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Guests and spectators stand up from their seats near the conclusion of the dedication ceremony of the National World War II Memorial, May 29, 2004, in Washington.
Credit: AP
