How2Day: Navy Monuments

U.S. Navy Monuments exist within the country as well as overseas. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
The United States Navy has played an important role in the history of America and continues to protect citizens by enabling safe sea travel as well as being ready to defend the country during wartime. Many monuments exist throughout the United States and overseas to pay tribute to this branch of the military, as well as to honor those who lost their lives fighting.

Located on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., The Memorial Plaza is a monument built to honor the men and women of the United States Navy. The area features a map of the world, signal flags, fountain pools and "The Lone Soldier" statue. The monument is available to visit free of charge and is open to the public 24 hours a day. During the summer, public concerts are held at the memorial every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Unveiled in 2008 to commemorate the U.S. Navy's invasion of Normandy during World War II, this monument cost $500,000 through private donations and was commissioned by the Naval Order of the United States. The monument is located on Utah Beach which was a battlefield during the war and features the names of vessels that participated in the Normandy battle. The design of the monument overlooks the sea and depicts a Navy captain and two sailors, standing approximately 8 feet tall on a black granite base.

This Hawaiian monument, commonly known only as the USS Arizona Memorial, is 184-feet long and dedicated to the 1,177 servicemen who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attacks of 1941. Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial is free and includes an orientation and shuttle boat ride out to the monument, which lies in the Pearl Harbor Navy Base above the sunken wreckage of the USS Arizona warship. The memorial sees 4,500 visitors each day and 1.5 million guests per year. Make time to stop into the visitors center to watch free short documentaries on the Pearl Harbor attack.

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