In Washington D.C.’s National Mall, a temporary memorial has been approved to remain until mid-November. This new monument is dedicated to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and features the names of 41 million American veterans.
The “National Military Monument” has been open to the public since July 28 and is one of the events held in the nation’s capital to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Sponsored by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a financial services company based in San Antonio, Texas, established in 1922, initially as an auto insurance provider for military personnel and their families. The company announced in a statement released on Tuesday, August 18, with the support of the National Park Service, the monument will continue to stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial steps until November 12.
The statement mentioned that this extension of ten weeks from the original display period will provide millions of Americans with more opportunities to personally experience this commemorative event and visit during two significant moments in military history: Patriot Day on September 11 – the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and Veterans Day on November 11.
The monument is acknowledged as the only national military monument in Washington D.C., paying tribute to American servicemen and women who served after 2001.
Located in front of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the monument consists of two American flags displaying the names of nearly all 41 million American military personnel since the Revolutionary War. The names scroll on the flags by decade, creating a visual effect as if the flags are fluttering in the wind.
The first name displayed on the monument is that of the first U.S. President, George Washington, and the last is an unnamed soldier, ensuring that even those whose identities remain unknown will be honored.
According to NewsNation, a cable news network, the response from visitors to the monument has been overwhelmingly positive.