On the recordJune 2, 2004
Last weekend thousands of Americans flocked to our National Mall to pay tribute to the 'greatest generation.' It was the dedication, as we all know, of the World War II Memorial. It has now been 59 years since the end of the Second World War, and at long last our Nation has a place that honors the 16 million who served in our Armed Forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort here at home. I was touched that those who served at home also were honored because that war brought our Nation together as we had never seen before, and perhaps since. I can think of no more appropriate honor than to recognize their commitment, dedication, and sacrifice with a permanent memorial to the men and women who fought to secure our freedom and stamp out Nazi tyranny.
Source
govinfo.gov
