Connect With History By Visiting American Memorial Sites

Visiting memorial sites is a great way to get in touch with the spirit of service and patriotism that these sites are meant to commemorate. Though you can visit most of these sites at any time of year, some people make a special point to visit on a patriotic holiday of special importance to them. Planning a trip to a memorial that has special meaning for you is a wonderful way of connecting with your family history and cultural heritage. Not only will you get to see a little piece of American history up close, you can learn a lot about the events these sites are memorializing.

Sites in Washington, D.C.

As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. has a large number of memorials and monuments recognizing the sacrifice of people who have served in many different wars and military conflicts. These are just a few of the most popular national memorial sites in the Washington, D.C. area:

• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• World War II Memorial
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Virginia)
• Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial (Columbia Island)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial site is one of the newest in Washington, D.C. Though the civil rights movement that Dr. King was part of is not a war in the same way that other conflicts were, this on-going struggle has required the a level of dedication and sacrifice for the greater good is identical to other expressions of American patriotism.

Memorial Sites Across America

There are hundreds of memorial sites across the United States. Only a few of them are included in the list of national sites; most are overseen by state and municipal agencies tasked with their care and maintenance. Some are accessible all year round, others close during winter.

The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most costly conflicts of the entire Civil War. It involved troops from many different states and so today memorials for this pivotal moment can be found in Virginia, Florida, Delaware Alabama, New York, Maryland, Georgia, and many other states. Some monuments commemorate the battle itself while others celebrate the actions of specific noteworthy individuals. Several specific regiments are also memorialized on sites within their home states. Anyone with an interest in Civil War history and the Battle of Gettysburg in particular will find many interesting sites to visit in the Eastern half of the United States.
One of the most interesting memorial sites is the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this memorial was created in the memory of World War I service members. Four graceful arches and expansive carved bleacher seating overlook a public Olympic size swimming pool. This feature alone sets this war memorial apart from other WWI sites. However, this pool has an additional unique element. It is a salt-water swimming pool, making it one of the most unique public pools in the world.

Searching for Memorial Sites to Visit

You do not have to look far to find amazing memorial sites to visit on a special day. The Internet has many lists of patriotic monuments, memorials, and points of interest. You can learn a lot about the patriotic history of your own region by visiting monuments close by.

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