Navy – Merchant Marine Memorial facts for kids
The Navy – Merchant Marine Memorial is a special monument located in Lady Bird Johnson Park on Columbia Island in Washington, D.C.. It honors brave sailors from the United States Navy, Coast Guard, the United States Merchant Marine, and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. It remembers those who died at sea during World War I and other times.
Contents
This memorial was designed in 1922 by Harvey Wiley Corbett. The sculptures were created by Ernesto Begni del Piatta. Sadly, he passed away before the project was finished. The memorial was cast, or shaped, in a factory in Cleveland.
Building the Memorial
Work on the memorial began in 1930. The foundation was ready the next year. It was finally put in place on October 18, 1934. However, there wasn't enough money to finish the base and the surrounding area. A special ceremony was held on May 30, 1935. More money was approved by Congress in 1939. The final work began in September of that year and was completed by the end of 1939.
Design and Materials
The memorial is often called "Waves and Gulls." It shows seven seagulls flying above a large wave. It is made from aluminum, which was quite new for memorials at the time. This makes it the first aluminum memorial in Washington, D.C. The base is made of green granite from New Hampshire. The memorial stands about 35 feet (10.6 meters) tall and 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide.
A Special Message
The memorial has an important message carved into it. It reads:
To the strong souls and ready valor of those men of the United States who in the Navy, the Merchant Marine and other paths of Activity upon the waters of the world have given life or still offer it in the performance of heroic deeds this monument is dedicated by a grateful people.
This message honors the courage and sacrifices of those who served on the seas.
