The Korean War Veterans Memorial is a controversial tribute to a controversial war. Although 1.5 million Americans served in the conflict, war was never officially declared. It is often known as The Forgotten War. Intense debate preceded the selection of the memorial’s design. On July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the armistice that ended the war, the memorial was dedicated.

Nineteen larger-than-life stainless steel statues, a squad on patrol, are depicted moving towards the American flag as their symbolic objective. The solders are wearing ponchos because the Korean War was notorious for being fought in miserable weather conditions.

On the south side is a polished black granite wall etched with the images of more than 2,400 veterans. An inscription above the Pool of Remembrance reads: “Our nation honours her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met”.