The coronavirus has shut down much of the nation, but construction at the National World War I Memorial rumbles on.
WWI Centennial Commission Executive Director Daniel Dayton told the Washington Examiner that “all is progressing normally. There are no delays of any kind. Our construction company, Grunley, has instituted some additional health/safety procedures, including a facility for hand-washing and additional sanitation procedures. There is currently no COVID-19 impact to the project.”
As far as it comports with public health needs, this is good news. It means the memorial should be completed in time for its inauguration on Veterans Day in November.
But the memorial is special for its design as well as its mission.
Located just next to the White House at Pershing Park, the memorial is designed by Joseph Weishaar with support from sculptor Sabin Howard. Its title: The Weight of Sacrifice.
Just 25 years old when he was selected as the design winner in January 2016, Weishaar’s passion is clear. Thanks to the World War I Centennial Commission’s equally passionate public relations director, Chris Isleib, I was fortunate enough to visit the under-construction memorial and talk with Weishaar. His vision is well-defined. Reflecting his own young age, Weishaar’s memorial design matches modern technology to tradition. The hope is that children, the elderly, and everyone in between will find equal value in this history. I came away convinced that he’s nailed it.
This matters.
It has stained the nation’s honor that those who fought so long ago have not had a timeless memorial to their service. More than 2 million Americans served in Belgium and France, and nearly 117,000 lost their lives. More than 200,000 others were wounded. Their service was instrumental. Reinforcing Britain and France with new men and resources, the U.S. Army secured the line that allowed for the counter-offensives that broke Germany’s back. At the Second Battle of the Marne and other places, Americans showed immense courage against a far more experienced German adversary. Indeed, this was where the 38th Infantry Regiment earned its parent 3rd Infantry Division the nickname, “Rock of the Marne.”
This American service would provide the pressure that tipped Germany over the edge and into defeat. A continent secured, America had shown its finest virtue to the world stage: a willingness to save strangers in the cause of freedom. It is a sacrifice that our allies remember today.
As the coronavirus chaos continues, take inspiration that these patriots and their past glory will soon find new witnesses.
