Cath226 writes about her visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

My class and I went to Washington D.C. We saw monuments, memorials, and museums. One memorial that really hit me was the World War II Memorial. It interested me not only because of the war itself, but because it was made in honor of every person who served in this war. It is also in honor of those who suffered and had their lives affected at home. People who had family serving put a blue star in their window showing that they had a son or daughter in service. Often this was replaced by a gold star, meaning that person was another casualty of the war.

This memorial is gargantuan. It is really touching to see a beautiful memorial for the veterans to see. This memorial is located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Memorial. A ring of pillars surrounds an exquisite fountain. These pillars represent the 56 territories, U.S. states, and the District of Columbia. Two twin pavilions, marked Pacific and Atlantic, face each end. They represent the war fought across two oceans. At the base of the pavilions are key battles of the war. The wall facing the Lincoln Memorial is called the Freedom Wall. It holds 4,000 stars, each representing 100 soldiers who gave their lives for this war. Each star is handmade and not all the same flat star. The architect wanted every little thing to be special. On each side of this wall there is a small fountain with cascading water. On each side of the ceremonial entrances are bas-relief sculptures that depict scenes of America at war.

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Holiday50 shares the story of a World War II hero.

During the devastating WWII, Jewish people faced extreme prejudice from the heartless Germans who tortured them. Primarily the Jews began losing privileges such as being allowed to go to school, stores and leaving their homes. Next, strong men were forced to become laborers. Then unexpectedly, the worst happened. Jews were sent to concentration camps to die. Families were separated by gender and sent to different barracks. Everyone, ranging from senior citizens to young children were forced to work day and night.

Secretly, the Nazis had a devious plan -- they were working their victims to their deaths. Rarely, few people were aware that their cold bunks would soon become their deathbeds. The Jews were weakened through starvation and beatings. Then, they were expected to have tremendous energy to labor. All this for the reward of being able to live, which perhaps, was the greatest reward of all. Those who valued their lives, served the Nazis by working daily in poor conditions. The Nazis showed no compassion for the homosexuals or the disabled. Thinking that these poor people were incapable of working, they murdered them in gas chambers and crematoriums. Even innocent babies faced this terrible cruelty.

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