Comments on: Monument Monday – The National World War II Memorial

By: Shirley Stone

Shirley Stone — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:26:58 +0000

I’m disappointed that the whole sentence was not included in Roosevelt’s inscription – there’s no period after triumph – so his train of thought did not stop there. The sentence is incomplete and does not convey how strongly he felt in defending our country.

I get a much better understanding of his emotions from the complete sentence: “With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.”

By: David

David — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:23:05 +0000

Anyone who needs to know,
Kilroy Was Here is actually located outside the memorial. It is on the side with the Pacific pavilon, and if you follow the outside of the memorial and go ,to the side that faces The Lincoln Memeorial, all the way to the Freedom Wall(the big wall with gold stars) there is a small area that is blocked off by a chain with metal grating on the ground. If you look on the wall opposite the chain you will find the famous Kilroy Was Here engraving.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:03:30 +0000

Jackie: I don’t beleive there is a registry of the soldiers that ither served or were killed in action in WW-II at the memorial. If you check the Veteran’s Administration or the websites for the veterans of each Branch of Service, you may be able to locate some information. I know there is access to the Navy database at the Navy Memorial on Penn Ave.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:12:33 +0000

Hi, I am a charter member of the WWII Memorial and I was wondering about something, I havent made it to DC to see the memorial but plan a trip there in september. My dad died a year ago, but I am curious to know if his name was inscribed (as the Vietnam memorial) or if he is just listed in the registry. I am trying to plan my trip to the memorial and list the things that I want to photograph. And of course, Kilroy will be one of them, I am 47 years old and all my life my dad has left this drawing all over the place, as I also do the same now.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:37:04 +0000

David: Check out the video clip in the post as I included directions. It’s on the Lincoln Memorial side, accessable from the outer side walkway of the monument. Look for the ventilation duct.

By: David

David — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:47:26 +0000

Hello,
I am doing a research project involving the world war two memorial and i was wondering where exactly is the “Kilroy was here” mark left on this memorial.
If you can help me i would greatly appreciate it.
David

By: gloria Mays

gloria Mays — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:24:36 +0000

I believe that is one of the main reasons why this country is crumbling from within, we no longer “TRUST IN GOD” for anything, we have become to big for our britches, so to speak.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:12:27 +0000

Tom:
Great question.

While the words “so help us God”, was not included on the memorial, only 35 words of FDR’s complete 515 word Day of Infamy speech were etched into the memorial.

The line you are referring to goes…
With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

The inscription in the Memorial is just part of that speechm, and does not include any of that famous line.

It reads…”Pearl Harbor – December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy…No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.”

I’ll have a full post and photo on this urban myth soon on The DC Traveler.

By: Mary Ruggiero

Mary Ruggiero — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:28:38 +0000

Hi,
There is an e-mail going around that says “so help us God” is not on the inscription of the WWII memorial that is a quote from FDR. The part, “With confidence in our armed forces, with abounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph” – the “so help us God” would complete the quote. Is it there?

By: Tom Garrett

Tom Garrett — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:36:08 +0000

When President Roosevelt announced the attack on Pearl Harbor he endend it with “SO HELP US GOD”. Why was this left off the memorial? He speech as enscribed is unfinished.