The Korean War occurred in 1950 and lasted till 1953; it was due to the famous Korean conflict based on the separation of North Korea and South Korea. About 150,000 military men were killed in the war, out of which approximately 40,000 Americans lost their lives.
To commemorate their services and sacrifices in the three-year-long war, the Washington D.C. Korean Conflict Memorial, also known as Korean War Veteran Memorial, was dedicated on July 27, 1995. It is located on National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Around 3 million people visit the memorial every year, but what makes the memorial historic?
Statues
The Korean Conflict Memorial has 19 statues of the squadron placed in the center and are made from stainless steel. These vast figures depict the scene from the war and are 7 feet in height; they symbolize each member of the U.S armed forces. The statues wear a solid steel poncho holding weapons, surrounded by the Juniper bushes and separated by glossy slabs of granite.
These statues are even more beautiful because they appear to be 38 in number when they reflect on the granite in the scorching sun. The sculptor of these solid steel statues is Frank Gaylord from Barre, Vermont, while they were cast by Tax ill Foundries of Beacon, New York.
Mural Wall
A 146 feet tall two-dimensional mural wall stands tall juxtaposed to the statues. The wall includes 41 wall panels and around 2,400images of troops and the Korean war.
If you see the wall from a bird’s eye view, it makes an enclosed triangle and intersects with the pool of remembrance. The photographs were retrieved from the war archives and later edited for uniform size, light effects, and grading.
The United Nation’s Wall
There’s a walkway on the left of the mural wall which has an engraved list of 22 nations. These are nations that participated in the efforts of the United Nations during the Korean war.
The Remembrance Pool
The Korean War Memorial also consists of a circular pool with 128 feet filled with water from the bottom and flowing over a weir creating a rippling sound. The pool’s beauty enhances more where the tip of the statues’ enclosed triangle intersects, giving a perfect aesthetic look.
28 linden trees surround the pool to create a barrel effect that makes the sun reflect on the pool. Under the trees are located seven benches for the visitors, along which a wall extends into the pool area. A reminder “Freedom is not free” is written in 10-inch silver letters on the wall.
Many people have been visiting the Korean Conflict Memorial, increasing visitors each year. If you have a keen interest in history and want to learn about the Korean War, this memorial should be on your list as it serves as a beautiful yet monumental history site.
