Monument on National Mall will honor all 41 million U.S. military veterans

As the United States continues to celebrate its 250th anniversary, a new monument is set to honor all past American veterans on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The National Military Monument, sponsored by USAA, will display the names of more than 41 million Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The temporary monument will be open to the public from July 28 through August 23.

The monument is being built by Atomics Design, based in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Residents of the small town gathered Saturday evening to send off the American flag-designed structures to Washington D.C.

The monument, at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, will use large digital displays to recognize service members from every generation. Organizers say the tribute is designed to “honor the commitment of those who served and stand as a meaningful reminder of their service.”

Because there is no single database containing the names of every American who has served in the military, the USAA has said it compiled the list by searching numerous historical records and other available sources to create the most thorough list possible.

The National Mall is already home to more than a dozen military memorials recognizing veterans who have lost their lives in service. Two more memorials are currently under construction to honor veterans in the Gulf War and the War on Terror.  

The National Military Monument aims to complement all of these memorials by recognizing service members across all generations of military service. However, active service members will most likely not be shown due to the availability of public records.  

If visiting the monument, you can request that your name or a loved one's be shown during your visit using a customized code at available summon stations. Public information may not have records of some veterans; you can request a name be added on USAA’s website.

More information is available on the National Military Monument website.