Photos: Our Nation’s War Memorials

Interestingly, Memorial Day is more than a simple request to respect our fallen soldiers. It is actually a call to prayer. As written into U.S. Code:

The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation– (1) calling on the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace; (2) designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace; (3) calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at that time; and (4) calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the period of prayer.

Here, The Blaze takes a look at famous memorials that have been erected in remembrance of our nation’s heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country:

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Memorial Day Observance

"On this Memorial Day, we who remain free by the sacrifice of the dead and the service of the living will requite our debt to both with thoughts and acts of gratitude and love... Now, Therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace." -1968

Photo courtesy of The U.S. Army

Memorial Day Observance

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Marine Corps Memorial

The Marine Corps War Memorial, which reads: "In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775."

Photo courtesy of Robert Claypool via Flickr

Marine Corps Memorial

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U.S. Navy Memorial

This site sits in Washington D.C. just blocks from the U.S. Capitol building.

Photo courtesy of chucka_nc via Flickr

U.S. Navy Memorial

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Lincoln Memorial

President Abraham Lincoln, leader of the Union during the Civil War. The monument reads, "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion." Approximately 600,000 U.S. citizens lost their lives, including Lincoln himself.

Photo courtesy of Dyanna Hyde

Lincoln Memorial

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Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War, the catalytic event that prompted the observance of Memorial Day - formerly known as Decoration Day.

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Army

Arlington National Cemetery

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World War I Memorial

Located in Jackson, Mississipi. WWI resulted in an estimated 116,000 U.S. casualties.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

World War I Memorial

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World War II Memorial

Located in Washington D.C., the World War II Memorial honors the 400,000 U.S soldiers who died.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

World War II Memorial

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Korean War Memorial

Located in Washington D.C. and dedicated to the more than 36,000 who lost their lives.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Korean War Memorial

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Vietnam Memorial

The Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. The memorial lists the name of each fallen soldier, approaching nearly 60,000 names.

Photo courtesy of Ed Yourdon

Vietnam Memorial

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Iraq and Afghanistan War

The Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have claimed nearly 6,000 U.S. lives. Memorials for these wars are yet to be erected.

Photo cleared for release by Joint Staff Public Affairs

Iraq and Afghanistan War

Comments (53)

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  • Nanny
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:08pm

    Let us show our Military men and women how grateful we are by writing our Congress and tell them to give the Military the same pay and benefits that they have. Congress works about 180 days per year and spend, spend, spend other peoples money while our Military works 24/7 and give their lives.

    Report Post »  
  • BetterSense
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:17pm

    remembering those who were at Cam Ranh Bay 1968, after President Johnson had visited.

    Report Post »  
  • FoxholeAtheist
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:05pm

    Foxhole Atheist remembers and honors fellow Atheist soldier Pat Tillman.

    Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
    • eubanksray
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:36pm

      Now WHY in the world would you have to make atheisum a subject of your military men falling??
      GET A GRIP

      Report Post » eubanksray  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 4:36pm

      The only reason why Atheist do what that they do, is to provoke others. Atheist are a group of people that are filled with pain, anger and hate. They want very much to spread their misery.

      But even in spite of this, God and Jesus Christ still love them very much.

      They are people in need of your prayers…..

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • Jezcruzen
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 5:22pm

      What does a atheist know of freedom or of liberty? Both are gifts, and the blessing of God. That fact is acknowledged in our Constitution. Not given by man, both are inalienable rights given by the Master. How does an atheist reconcile that fact? Other than making a show of disrespecting those of us having a spiritual belief in something more grand than just man and demonstrating their intolerance of another’s faith at any opportunity, exactly what is it that atheists contribute? I think not much.

      Report Post »  
    • dj109
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:21pm

      Hey FoxHole. Don’t you have better things to do, other than trolling The Blaze? Perhaps you’d be better off joining the hate group FFRF and helping to file a lawsuit to have all the gravestones in Arlington cemetery removed. Those thousands of those pesky little crosses on government land are offensive and unconstitutional, right? You are a disgusting individual.

      Report Post »  
    • epicwinofgod
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:14am

      Trolling: an act used to protest against a conflicting agenda in an opposing medium.

      So we have a troll.

      However, I see plenty of people supporting this cause in error as well. So, I won’t call you a troll no more.

      Welcome Atheist, your opinions are appreciated in which the opposing side often gives more insight than my own. Now that we know you’re here, we will keep an eye out for others like you. Stick to the Blaze and keep up your good work. Someday you’ll lose your ability to question. So as an Atheist who will soon see he’s wrong, I welcome you to our community. I want to save Atheists too. And notice, I capitalize Atheist just as I do a Christian. I hope you soon find yourself having a 2nd eye, as it’s much better seeing clearly, friend.

      Report Post » epicwinofgod  
  • Delores at CH WV
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:49pm

    We must pray for these families that had to give up their sons and daughters for the liberty of the entire world. These folks died for more than the American way; they gave up their blood on many lands and seas for many foreign peoples. Heros, all of them.

    Report Post »  
    • bobbiejean
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 1:16am

      You are so right, Delores. May we honor all who gave their lives in service of our country. May they rest in peace.

      Report Post »  
  • grack1
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:27pm

    I’m not trying to undermine all the other memorials,but you left a huge one out. In Kansas City,Mo. a memorial for WW1 vets is probably one of the most spectacular with a museum, Google it.

    Report Post » grack1  
  • blair152
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:13pm

    The problem with Washington is that the land there is at a premium and there isn’t enough land for a future Iraq and Afghanistan war memorial, if we decided to build one, which haven’t_____yet.

    Report Post »  
    • Jezcruzen
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 5:13pm

      I think if we build a war memorial, it should be only for those wars where we as a nation were compelled to send our sons and daughters to protect freedom and liberty here in the homeland. While we still morn our dead from Viet Nam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, neither of the three qualify. We were justified in punishing the murderers in Afghanistan for 9/11, but we did that in six months. Why are we still there? Will a useless following 9 1/2 years of a draining war qualify for a memorial? And to what end?

      Report Post »  
  • rbowers
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:09pm

    God bless those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless those who’ve defended our freedoms. A heart-felt thank-you to those who have served.

    Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:18pm

    We walk among the crosses
    Where our fallen Military lay.
    And listen to the bugle
    As taps began to play.

    The Chaplin leads a prayer
    We stand with heads bowed low.
    And the thought of fallen comrades
    We had known not so long ago.

    They came from every city
    Across this fertile land.
    That we might live in freedom.
    They lie here ‘neath the sand’.

    We feel a little guilty
    Our sacrifices are so small.
    Many only lost a little time
    But these men and women lost their all.

    When the services are over
    For this Memorial Day.
    To the names upon these graves
    We should solemnly say,

    Thanks for what you’ve given
    No one could ask for more.
    May you rest with God in heaven
    From now through evermore.

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:25pm

      A good movie for Memorial day if you can find it is “Gardens of Stone”… it stars James Caan, Anjelica Huston, James Earl Jones and D. B. Sweeney. You can get a synopsis of the movie at Wikipedia if interested. pretty good movie about the 1st battalion 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer, Virginia during Viet Nam.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:01pm

    If you go tho the WW II war memorial in DC, there is a “Kilroy Was Here” slogan etched in an out of the way place. Wonder if Barry could find it? Or if he knows what t stands for? It was sickening looking at the CNN headline that Barry was at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier today. The way he hates our military he should have stayed in the Whitehouse.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 11:03am

      The memorial service is a solemn act of civilian respect by for our fallen by the duly elected President of the United States.

      You have no feeling for history and duty and your disrespectful treatment of the traditional laying of the wreath ceremony reflect poorly upon your support for our Constitutional system of national defense.

      1600 POW and MIA, never forget: Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho

      Report Post » MONICNE  
  • momrules
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:22am

    This is an exerpt from a speech Ronald Reagan gave in 1964. It is well worth listening to in 2012 America.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpcMIZrCT8E

    Report Post »  
  • Reagan_Patriot
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:53am

    I’m sure MSNBC is bust trying to find ways to replace “War Memorials” with a more neutral term… such as “Thinking Places to remember the Evils of War.”

    Report Post »  
  • Look4DBigPicture
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:44am

    On this Memorial Day, I give thanks to all the brave men and women who have fought to keep America free. I pray for the safety of our soldiers who are currently in harms way and their families who are sacrificing during their absence. I pray for those families who have lost loved ones while serving their country, for they more than anyone understand that freedom isn’t free.

    God Bless America. God Bless those Americans who protect her.

    Report Post »  
  • Vickie Dhaene
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:38am

    My words seem too simple after reading the great comments made here today. I am of a Patriotic Heart. I pray that God has blessed the families of all our fallen heroes. I am proud of all who fight for freedom and have fallen for us.

    Report Post »  
  • AUsername
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:31am

    Today is a day of shame for the Goverment of the United States ever since world war 2 putting them in wars that had nothing do with self defense of this nation and putting them in because some lobbyists paid off the politicians. Kennedy was one of the few to get his just deserts for technically forcing 100,000 Americans to their potential grace in a war of offense. Most of these folks didn’t have to die. We the people must stop the future potential wars in Iran, Syria and other middle eastern nations otherwise more will die like this. Don’t fall for the war propaganda.

    Report Post » AUsername  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:49am

      At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison issued what may have been America’s very first warning about the encroachment of the Military-Industrial Complex:

      —————————————————————–
      “In time of actual war, great discretionary powers are constantly given to the Executive Magistrate. Constant apprehension of War, has the same tendency to render the head too large for the body. A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people. ”
      -James Madison, Constitutional Convention, June 29, 1787

      Report Post »  
    • Tigress1
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:03am

      It is NOT a day of shame!!!

      Our soldiers did their duty in all the wars we have ever been in. We are proud of them for that! I do think America has lost her way when it comes to WHY we fight. First and foremost our soldiers should be defending THIS country. This is what is in our Constitution. We also like to defend our allies. However, we have stretched “our allies” into meaning that we fight wars to “defend or protect our interests”. We also have been fighting for freedom across the world, even though these people’s ideas of “freedom” have very different definitions than what we believe freedom to be. (I think we should only help rebels who want to adopt OUR Constitution only.) We need to have a more realistic vision of what we are really capable of doing. Yes, we are the most powerful nation in the world, but we can’t do EVERYTHING. Right now we may have lost sight of what our Founders envisioned, but we do have noble intent. We just have to learn to say “No!”. This is not a day of shame, but of honor.

      Report Post » Tigress1  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:48am

      Tigress1
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:03am

      We also like to defend our allies. However, we have stretched “our allies” into meaning that we fight wars to “defend or protect our interests”. We also have been fighting for freedom across the world,
      =========================================

      President George Washington warned us about having “allies”:

      ———————————————————–
      “Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.

      The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.”
      -President George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

      Also, we certainly aren‘t fighting for anybody’s “freedom across the world”….we fight for money and natural resources….which is the same thing that civilizations have been fighting over for the last 5000 years….

      The truth is ugly sometimes….but it’s still the truth nonetheless..

      Report Post »  
    • Tigress1
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:24pm

      @KIDCHARLEMAGNE, I‘m not going to act like I completely understand George Washington’s words in the quote that you posted, because I don’t. I certainly don’t doubt his wisdom, however. I just think that in today’s world where there is so much evil going on (not that there wasn‘t evil in Washington’s time either) that it doesn’t hurt to have “friends”. Sometimes countries have to band together to fight evil, such as during WWII.

      I don’t believe that our recent wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) and involvements (Egypt and Libya) have been for natural resources and money, however. We have gained nothing from these wars financially and we certainly haven’t gotten any more natural resources (oil). I think the primary reasons we got into Afghanistan and Iraq was to get Bin Laden, fight and try to eliminate Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and to send a message to all terrorists. The excuse that we are “supporting freedom fighters” in Egypt, Libya, etc. I think is a bunch of baloney, because these people don’t want freedom. They view freedom as being “free from the earthly and material desires and a total submission to Allah”, this is not the same as the liberties and rights that we have in America. I think our gov. is deliberately being deceptive to the American people regarding Egypt and Libya due to the Progressive ideology that is currently in the White House.

      Report Post » Tigress1  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:25pm

      Does your rant mean Barry should LEAD us into just wars in IRAN, SYRIA or other ME dictatorships? You are our shame.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:01pm

      Tigress1
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:24pm

      I‘m not going to act like I completely understand George Washington’s words in the quote that you posted, because I don’t
      =====================================

      If you‘ve never read George Washington’s Farewell Address of 1796 in its entirety, then you absolutely should….

      The life and times that we see today in America are a direct affront to the advice and recommendations to future generations of Americans that Washington offered in that Farewell Address:

      —————————————————
      “So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained, and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld.”
      President George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)

      Report Post »  
    • Tigress1
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:38pm

      @KidCharlemagne, I must be misunderstanding the quote, because I disagree with George Washington! Allies are formed BECAUSE they have things in common not because it is an “Illusion of an imaginary common interest”. Also, I don’t know if I entirely believe that a “passionate attachment of one nation for another PRODUCES a variety of evils.” I suppose it is possible for it to produce that, but I think there are many nations that simply are be evil to begin with regardless of alliances. For example, Iran is a country might fit that description, and we hate what they do, what they stand for, etc., therefore, why on earth would we reward them with equality – say in trade, that we would give to another country that doesn’t have those same evil tendencies? Wouldn’t we then be reacting in FEAR from retaliation? Wouldn’t this make us appear weak? Wouldn’t this leave us vulnerable to blackmail or other attacks?

      Report Post » Tigress1  
  • klevalt
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:23am

    For every mother who lost a son or daughter; I salute you. For the sons and daughters who have willingly put their lives on the line for the sake of MY freedom, I thank you and for those whose lives were sacrificed, peace be with your family, for you have done an honorable thing.

    Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

    Report Post » klevalt  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:19am

    I just want to thank all the soldiers, past and present, and their families for defending THIS country. (I feel I must specify the country in the song, not the ones the Progressives want to turn us into.)

    God Bless the USA
    By: Lee Greenwood

    If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
    And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
    I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
    ‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

    And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
    And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
    And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
    ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

    From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
    across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

    From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
    Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
    and it’s time to stand and say:

    I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
    And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
    And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
    ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

    Report Post » Tigress1  
    • Look4DBigPicture
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:53am

      Thank you for posting the words to this great song. I couldn’t help but sing it outlous (even though I can’t sing worth a flip)

      Report Post »  
    • Tigress1
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:34am

      @Look4Dbigpicture, I’ve always loved the song, but this morning when I heard it on Fox News, it gave me almost a sad, bittersweet feeling, especially the part “where at least I KNOW I’m free.“ I actually asked myself ”Do I know that anymore?”!!! My answer was “No!” I couldn’t believe it! Am I the only one who feels this way? I hear about drones in America, spying on the Internet, phones being tapped, people getting blacklisted for not supporting Obama, on and on…Are we really free anymore?

      This may sound corny, but hearing this song, I felt like Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” when he cried while singing “Edelweiss”.

      Report Post » Tigress1  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:49am

    I dare to call them HEROES and thank each and every one for their service and sacrifice.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • KingCanon
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:40am

    AFTER A MOVING CHURCH SERVICE I spent the day at an Army museum in my state where patriotism and the Word of God honored patriots both fallen and alive. How anyone on American soil can find fault with that combination of respect is beyond my comprehension.

    Through forces unseen misguided liberals are erasing common sense, patriotism and worship from the average American citizen’s sight. I can ONLY attribute such conduct to satanic powers greater than than human strength.

    God forgive them for they know not what they do!

    Report Post » KingCanon  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:29am

    God bless all those who have served to protect the United States of America.

    Report Post » bdandsl  
  • Want our country back
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:13am

    You Tube of “I AM AMERICA” by Krista Branch (very uplifting). Play with the volume high…. Enjoy

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0heL2Czeraw

    Thank you to the families for their sacrifice.
    To all our fallen heroes, thank you for all you did for us, from a grateful nation.

    Report Post » Want our country back  
  • momrules
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 8:58am

    There are people in America that still honor our American military members, past and present. I am one of those people.

    God bless them.

    Report Post »  
  • Banter
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 8:50am

    Today we honor those brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. They are HEROES, and a national treasure to be memorialized and never forgotten.

    To all of the marxists, communists, fascists, progressives, socialists, anarchists, nazis, msnbc, and obamas regime, this is still the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This is what pride in one’s country and her heroes look like, not the images of ows mobs you salivate over.

    Report Post » Banter  
  • bigbear_awake
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 8:46am

    Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

    Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-strength-25-encouraging-scripture-quotes/#ixzz1wATbkIft

    Report Post » bigbear_awake  
  • cassandra
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 8:39am

    all these flags must be driving michelle nuts, God Bless our fallen HEROS

    Report Post »  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 8:25am

    God bless our fallen heros through all of eternity.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
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