Description
Visitors to the Korean War Memorial experience a memorial rich in symbolism. Walking uphill represents mountainous terrain, and the ground cover around the statues represents the rough terrain. Among the ground cover are granite slabs that represent rice paddies. An aerial view show that the memorial is shaped like a triangle with the soldiers forming the tip that points to the "Pool of Remembrance" at the top of the incline. "Freedom is not Free" is inscribed on the wall near the Pool of Remembrance, and 2,400 faces of men and women - and one dog - who fought in the Korean War are etched in the black granite mural wall. The memorial cost $18.1 million to build, and by law, none of that money could come from the United States government. It was entirely funded through donations and fundraisers, including $2 million donated by South Korean businessmen. The Korean War Memorial was dedicated on July 27, 1995.
Source-Dependent Questions
- After looking at the photo, read the Korean War Memorial Fact Sheet. What symbolism does the Korean War Memorial contain?
- The memorial cost $18.1 million to build, and by law, none of that money could come from the United States government. It was entirely funded through donations and fundraisers, including $2 million donated by South Korean businessmen. What message do the donations and fundraisers convey about the desire for a memorial for this war?
Citation Information
Highsmith, Carol M., "Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.," between 1995 and 2006. Courtesy of Library of Congress