Robin SmithIn May of 2004, Bronze Star and Purple Heart decorated veteran and former Sen. Bob Dole joined FedEx Chairman Fred Smith to dedicate the World War II Memorial as co-chairmen of a private fundraising effort.
I wonder if they ever believed a president’s administration would order barricades to obstruct the open-air monument.
You see, these two gentlemen gave of their time and work to lead a commission that raised 92 percent of the $197 million total funding that built the memorial. The grounds consist of triumphal arches, pillars, a Freedom Wall of gold stars honoring the more than 400,000 who died for America encircling a fountain. The 7.4 acre courtyard sits at the end of the Reflecting Pool that begins at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial and in closest proximity to the Washington Memorial.
The inspiration of WWII veteran Roger Durbin began in 1987 working with Ohio Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur. After successfully gaining a senate co-sponsor, South Carolina Republican Strom Thurmond, and years of advocacy, the World War II Memorial Act became law, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.
On Tuesday, the first day of the “government shutdown,” 92 Mississippi veterans, many of whom were octogenarians with physical limitations, were greeted by barricades denying access to the WWII Memorial site. These Honor Flight heroes were participating in the non-profit’s mission to honor U.S. veterans.