FREEDOM IS NOT FREE...

My favorite memorial we visited was the Korean War Veterans Memorial. 

The design is a triangle-intersecting-a-circle. As you approach the triangle section, you see the group of 19 stainless-steel statues of soldiers depicted on patrol...

Strips of granite and scrubby juniper bushes suggest the rugged Korean terrain...

while windblown ponchos recall the harsh weather...

 


































The patrol represents all branches of the military: Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy, and the men portrayed are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds...

On the south side of the triangle area is a black granite wall. The polished surface mirrors the statues, but also shows etchings of real unidentified American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines...those who provided support to the ground troops.

The circle part of the memorial is the Pool of Remembrance. An inner and outer row of linden trees encircle the pool, open only where the triangle intersects the circle to allow the sun to shine on the memorial.

Numbers of those killed, wounded, missing in action and held prisoner are etched in stone...

At the apex of the triangle is another granite wall bearing the message that would apply to all wars:

The memorial is free and open 24 hours a day. Park Rangers are on duty daily except December 25 to answer questions.

All photos in this blog post were taken by my husband and me during our visit in September, 2013.