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From the Archives: WWII Memorial Reflections

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May 1, 2004
Reflections on Viewing the "National World War II Memorial" by J. William Cupp
I have just left the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.  It is not yet finished, being slated for dedication this coming Memorial Day.  It opened to the public in a near-finished state two days ago.
It is a horrible mistake.
We should not have built this -- not that we should fail to honor the sacrifice of millions of Americans, and the ultimate sacrifice of so many thousands.  No, we should not have built this Memorial for it is not built to honor sacrifice and loss so much as it is built to glorify our victory.
The very design bears this out in many ways.  On the twin thresholds seals bear the inscription "Victory on Land - Victory at Sea - Victory in the Air."  Surrounding the granite plaza are eight moving inscriptions, all great quotations; no less than five of them are testimonials to our power, our victory, our greatness as a Nation.
In particular, the comment by General George C. Marshall that "Before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom, on the one hand, and of overwhelming power on the other."
We have tarnished our purity.  America is a great Nation.  We know it and such exhortations are necessary contributions in time of war.  But America has always, always preferred the way of peace.  In the past, as soon as hostilities cease we have turned our hearts and affections to promoting peace and emphasizing our desires in that direction.
Our other great war memorials ... Iwo Jima, Punchbowl, USS ARIZONA, Gettysburg, Antietam, Korea, Vietnam all come to mind ... do not emphasize our military victories.  They were not constructed to glorify our strength.  It is good, even vital, that these war memorials were constructed to honor the loss, pain and sacrifice.  Up until now, the great kings of Europe have erected vast monuments to their own greatness and victories.  But up until now, America has resisted doing so.
Up until now, America's war memorials have always focused on the sacrifices made by those involved.  This Memorial focuses on our victory.  Even the quotation by President Roosevelt of December 8, 1941, "...This day shall live in infamy...." is in this Memorial extended in its excerption to include "... 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."
Up until now, we have been content to memorialize our losses, not laud our victories.  It is good and necessary to reflect on our losses.  These not only honor the sacrifices made by those who participated, but they impart a costly lesson to future generations.  They do not glorify war.  This Memorial, in seeking to honor "the Greatest Generation" does glory in our victories and thus risks glorifying war.
America is a great Nation.  Up until now, we have been humbly content enough to allow our evident greatness speak for itself.  We have been content to memorialize our losses and suffering; we have been content to wait patiently for others to laud our glory.  This Memorial tarnishes our national greatness by erecting, for the first time, a grand monument to our own greatness in war.
It is a horrible mistake.