Memorials

At the tip of Asan Point, the six-sided Liberator’s Memorial honors all U.S. forces involved in the recapture of Guam. Each side is dedicated to a division of the Armed Forces.

The Memorial Wall of Names includes the names of the 1,880 U.S. servicemen who died on Guam during World War II as well as the 1,170 people of Guam who died during the war and the 14,721 who suffered atrocities during the occupation and battles.

Completed in 1994 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Guam, the Asan Bay Overlook serves as a memorial to those that lost their lives or suffered atrocities during the World War II. The overlook features beautiful views of the seaside villages of Asan and Piti and an aerial perspective of the landing beaches used by Marines during the battle.

The Sons of Guam Pearl Harbor Memorial honors the twelve CHamoru men killed aboard the USS Arizona, USS West Virginia, USS Nevada, and the USS Oklahoma when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

John Barry (1745-1803), an Irish immigrant to the 13 colonies, served in the Continental Navy, attacking British shipping throughout the American Revolution. He was the first commissioned American naval officer, and the first flag officer.

Located at the intersection of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire Avenues in Northwest Washington, DC, Dupont Circle has served as the anchor of a neighborhood of diplomats, government officials, war commemorations, and the LGB community for over 200 years.

This statue memorializes Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben as Inspector General of the Continental Army of the United States. The Prussian born general was skilled in the ways of military tactics and standards. While never explicitly stated, it is assumed that Baron von Steuben was gay. This memorial not only honors von Steuben’s military accomplishments, but also his closest intimate relationships.

The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in Rome, NY was dedicated on July 4, 1976 in honor of the Nation's Bicentennial. The remains of 8 unknown soldiers are interred within it's grounds.

Located at Stop 7 on the battlefield tour road, or via a short detour from the Wilkinson Trail, the "Boot" monument is perhaps the most popular, unique, and controversial monument of the many placed within the Battlefield.

In front of you a statue of George Mason holds a book by Cicero, a Roman politician and orator. Mason used ideas from Cicero and others to write the Virginia Declaration of Rights in May of 1776, the first document to protect individual rights in the United States. The document served as inspiration for the Declaration of Independence written weeks later.

On the University of Wyoming campus, a memorial bench honors one individual, Matthew Shepard who was targeted and killed for being gay.

The National AIDS Memorial Grove began as a community effort to recognize the devastating loss of life from the AIDS epidemic, and an effort to create space for remembrance and grieving.

In 1913, a memorial fountain was dedicated at President's Park in memory of two United States officials who drowned on the RMS Titanic. Francis Millet, who served on the Commission of Fine Arts and took part in the design of the National Mall, and Archibald Butt, a Major in the U.S. Army and a presidential military aide, were popular, well-respected men.

With over 48,000 panels, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is a visual and tactile tribute to the lives lost to HIV and AIDS, illnesses which have disproportionately affected gay communities for many reasons, including inadequate education of a closeted community, stigmatization, and inadequate treatment.

Throughout history, humans have created memorials as a way to celebrate, remember, and perpetuate our most valued stories. They come in all conceivable shapes, sizes, and materials, including buildings, bridges, statues, tattoos, performances, and charitable foundations, just to name a few. This small selection of memorials celebrate the lives and actions of queer Americans and their allies while bringing awareness to issues that threaten queer communities.

Do the inscriptions in the Jefferson Memorial represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs and philosophies? In this education activity for 8th-12th grade, students will compare an inscription in the memorial to an earlier draft, and to the original text of the Declaration of Independence. They will analyze how shortening or editing a quotation can change its meaning. To extend the lesson, they will compose their own suggestion for an inscription in taken from the Declaration.

Have you ever been misquoted or had your words taken out of context? In this introduction to the Jefferson Memorial Education series for 8th-12th grade, students learn about the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission and are introduced to the selection process for the inscriptions on the chamber walls. Then they will begin to consider how editing a quotation can change its meaning. How does the design of a memorial affect how a person is remembered?

The inscription on the northeast wall of the Jefferson Memorial is a conglomeration of words and sentences pulled from five different sources. Does it accurately represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs about slavery and liberty? In this education activity for 8th-12th graders, students will compare the inscription with the primary sources and analyze the meaning of the quote in context and then compose their own inscription. How should the memorial present slavery?

This lesson is part of a series teaching about the WWII home front, with Waterloo, Iowa designated as an American WWII Heritage City. The lesson contributes to understandings about service and sacrifice of local families. By examining the story of the Sullivan brothers – five brothers who lost their lives together, and whose family campaigned on the home front to encourage others to support the war efforts – the lesson connects to remembrance and heritage in Waterloo today.

For an urban bike expedition in D.C., visit the Mount Vernon Trail! Plan ahead for many stops along the way to fully immerse yourself in the nation’s rich history!