Related Links WWII Memorial

Thursday, May 06, 2004

Over 100 Simpson County veterans of the second world war will be honored during a World War II Memorial dedication reception on Saturday, May 29 at the Disabled American Veterans Building at the corner of KY. 1008 and Ky. 100 (Veterans Memorial Highway).
Those in attendance will have the opportunity to watch the dedication of the new national World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. live via a satellite television hook-up. Rent-A-Center in Franklin is providing a big screen TV. It’s hoped that another big screen TV will be available.
Invitations have been sent to the more than 100 surviving Simpson County World War II veterans who have been identified. More than 600 Simpson Countians were inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces during the war.
An organizer of the reception, Norm Purvis, said the event is being sponsored by service officers from local service organizations.
Cake and punch will be served during the reception that begins at noon. Viewing of the dedication begins at 1 p.m. The dedication is expected to last about one and a half hours.
Purvis said transportation for veterans will be provided if needed.
For more information about the reception, call Purvis at 586-9407.
There are an estimated 4.4 million surviving World War II American veterans. There are also an estimated 385,369 WW II veteran deaths each year or about 1,056 per day.
A total of 16.1 million Americans served in the armed forces during the war, including 291,557 who died in battle and another 113,842 non-theater deaths.
The death rate of WW II veterans prompted officials to open the national memorial to the public a month before the official dedication.
The monument is nearing completion some 11 years after President Clinton signed legislation authorizing construction on May 25, 1993. It is the first national WW II memorial and is located on the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Private funding paid for most of the estimated $172 million cost. Construction began in September 2001.
A memorial plaza constructed around a Rainbow Pool is the heart of the monument with two 43-foot arches standing at the north and south entrance. The arches represent the two theaters of the war – the Atlantic and the Pacific. There are 24 bronze panels depicting America’s war years both at home and overseas. Each state and territory is represented by a granite pillar. A wall of 4,000 gold stars commemorates the more than 400,000 Americans who died.
The American Battle Monuments Commission is planning a four-day dedication celebration May 27-30 with the theme “Tribute to a Generation.”
For more information, go on the internet to www.wwiimemorial.com – the memorial’s official site.