Official memorials serve as reminders to the public of significant historical events and people (Bonder, 2009). In the United States, official memorials play a critical role in fostering national memory and honoring sacrifice. Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday of May, commemorates military personnel who have died in service to the nation. It is marked by traditions such as visiting cemeteries, placing flags on graves, and holding national observances, including the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2021).

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., serves as a prominent example of an official U.S. memorial. Its reflective black granite wall bears the names of over 58,000 service members who lost their lives or remain missing in action during the Vietnam War. Visitors often leave mementos such as notes, medals, and flowers, symbolizing ongoing personal and collective acts of remembrance (National Park Service, n.d.).

War memorials are a significant type of official memorial used in the United States to commemorate the events of past wars and the lives that were lost. The United States is home to many war memorials that honor the sacrifices made by service members across its history. One of the most iconic is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. This memorial holds the remains of unidentified American soldiers and serves as a powerful symbol of respect for all those who have given their lives in service to the country. The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week, signifying the nation’s enduring commitment to remembering its fallen heroes (Arlington National Cemetery).

The World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honors the 16 million Americans who served during World War II and the more than 400,000 who lost their lives. The memorial features 56 granite pillars representing the unity of the United States during the war and a Freedom Wall adorned with 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 American lives lost in the conflict (National Park Service).

Other significant war memorials in the United States include the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which features statues of soldiers symbolizing the unity and sacrifices made during the Korean War, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, known for its reflective black granite wall etched with the names of over 58,000 service members who were killed or went missing during the Vietnam War. These memorials not only honor the sacrifices of individuals but also serve as places of reflection and national remembrance.

Additionally, the United States has created memorials to honor specific groups of veterans, such as the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which recognizes the sacrifices of veterans who were permanently disabled during their service. These memorials highlight the diversity of contributions made by Americans in times of war and ensure that their legacies endure for future generations.

United States war memorials reinforce notions of patriotism and a shared sense of national identity, deeply tied to military service and the sacrifices made for the freedoms of the nation (Edkins, 2003). Memorials constructed following major conflicts, particularly after World War I, marked the beginning of a new era of memorialization. The aftermath of WWI saw a profound loss of life, and efforts were made to honor the dead through national cemeteries and memorials. Unlike Canada, where graves were often relocated to British Imperial War Cemeteries, the United States focused on creating commemorative spaces both domestically and abroad to reflect American values and heroism.

The construction of WWI memorials in the United States was driven by the desire to provide solace to grieving families, many of whom had lost loved ones on foreign soil, as well as to bolster national pride. Prominent examples include the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, which commemorates the service and sacrifice of Americans in WWI, and the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France, the largest U.S. military cemetery in Europe. These memorials symbolize not only the cost of war but also the emergence of the United States as a global power in the 20th century.

WWI memorials reflected the values and beliefs of the time, portraying the war as a necessary sacrifice for democracy and freedom. They served to justify the war, console a grieving nation, and solidify a sense of American exceptionalism. According to Edkins (2003), such memorials also helped construct a unifying narrative of national identity, particularly in the wake of a deeply divided post-war society.

The emphasis on national unity and collective memory is evident in the way these memorials frame historical events as pivotal moments of national strength and sacrifice. Memorials such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Liberty Memorial continue to inspire patriotism and provide spaces for reflection on the costs and consequences of war.

Additional Sources:

Bonder, J. (2009). On memory, trauma, public space, monuments, and memorials. Places Journal, 21(1), 62–69. https://doi.org/10.22269/090120

Edkins, J. (2003). Trauma and the memory of politics. Cambridge University Press.

National Park Service. (n.d.). Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Retrieved from [https://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm]

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2021). Memorial Day: History and traditions. Retrieved from [https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/memday.pdf]