The All Wars Memorial is being dedicated Monday with dignitaries, speeches, a military band and the public. But the memorial perhaps is best viewed on a quiet day. As one approaches from the north side of the pond, the monument is reflected in the water along with the trees overhanging the path, so its effect begins to take hold gradually.
A memorial such as this – with its imposing granite quotation wall and its powerful portrayal of two soldiers, all in the shadow of the Stars and Stripes – touches a nerve in all of us; we all ache when we remember that so many have sacrificed so much. The memorial takes advantage of the natural beauty of its surroundings. Set as it is in such peaceful surroundings, in a town physically untouched by war or terrorist attack, the juxtaposition makes it all the more dramatic.
Although the memorial has been more than a decade in the planning, the timing turned out to be good at the end, with its dedication scheduled for Memorial Day. Veterans groups who worked so hard to make the memorial a reality – and all of us – can be proud of this monument to those who have served the United States. It also honors their families, recognizing that their sacrifices, too, have been great.
One heading on the wall states, “Every generation is called.” We can only hope this does not prove true in the years to come, that remembering the past will help us find a path to peace in the future. But the purpose of this memorial is to honor those who have served, first in fighting for our country’s independence then in wars and conflicts through the years. Visit it Monday for the pomp and camaraderie of the dedication. Visit it again in a quiet moment to reflect upon its meaning.
