U.S. Navy Memorial

The idea for the U.S. Navy Memorial was conceived by Washington’s architect, Pierre L’Enfant, but it wasn’t until nearly 200 years later that Congress gave permission to build it on public lands. Chosen along Pennsylvania Avenue, between Capitol Hill and the White House, the dedication to our nation’s sailors was finally completed and offered to the public in 1987. Though located off the famous National Mall grid, it does have its very own Metro stop (Navy Memorial).

The memorial was designed as a public plaza and a heritage center. Built as a round ceremonial amphitheater, it represents a 100-foot diameter of the world with a map of the world on the ground. Around the plaza are fountains and pools, as well as raised sculpture panels with illustrations of various historic achievements by servicemen.

According to Rear Admiral William Thompson, USN (Ret.), who sought to have the memorial built in 1980, “to passersby, the appearance of the Memorial is not unlike that of America’s perceptions of the sea. Even though it is vast and broad and unmistakably there, you could miss it if you are not paying attention. But when you walk on to the site, it engulfs you with its scale and grandeur.”

At one side of the Memorial, a sculpture of the Lone Sailor greets visitors as they walk by. The Lone Sailor is a single statue representing all people who served or currently serve the Navy.

Inside the Naval Heritage Center, another sculpture, The Homecoming, shows the reunion of sailor, wife and child. The Center features a commemorative plaque wall, Naval documentaries, book signings and various exhibits and events on national holidays.

- by Rin-rin Yu, Washington Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Rin-rin Yu

Rin-rin is an award-winning writer and journalist based in the Baltimore-Washington area. Her work has appeared in China Daily, DAYSPA magazine, Luxury Home Design, Aquatics International, Not For Tourists and other publications. Rin-rin has also worked for ABC News, WHDH-TV (NBC) in Boston and Hanley Wood Business Media. She has a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She is an avid world traveler and maintains a travel blog, www.mytravelhats.com.