WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

WWII MEMORIAL OPENED 10 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The National World War II Memorial opened 10 years ago today, April 29, 2004, here in the Nation's Capital.

The monument is located on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

World War II Memorial

Washington, D.C.

Photo by John White (2011)

It is made of granite and bronze and features fountains between arches which symbolize hostilities in both Europe and the Far East.

The monument also includes a wall of 4000 gold stars.  Each gold star represents 100 Americans killed in the war.

World War II Memorial

Washington, D.C.

Photo by John White (2011)

A stone on the monument pays tribute to the...

 "Americans who took up the struggle during the Second World War and made sacrifices to perpetuate the gift our forefathers entrusted to us:  A nation conceived in liberty and justice".

World War II Memorial

"Tennessee"

Photo by John White (2011)

World War II Memorial

Washington, D.C.

Photo by John White (2011)

JFK WELCOMED NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS 52 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy hosted a state dinner 52 years ago tonight, April 29, 1962, for the winners of the Nobel Prize of the Western Hemisphere.

The dinner was held in the elegant State Dining Room at the White House.

The President began his remarks with these words:

"I want to tell you how welcome you are to the White House.

 I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

                       State Dining Room

                        The White House

NIXON AGREED TO RELEASE TAPE TRANSCRIPTS 40 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Under fire in the ongoing Watergate scandal, President Richard M. Nixon announced 40 years ago tonight, April 29, 1974, that he would release transcripts of 46 taped White House conversations.

His decision came long after a subpoena for the tapes was issued in July of last year.

In his statement, the President said:

"I want there to be no question...that the President has nothing to hide...."

Nixon would finally be forced to resign on August 8, 1974.

         Nixon With Tape Transcripts

NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

 October 9, 2011


WASHINGTON TRIP: NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

    Sky View from the Atlantic Pavilion
       National World War II Memorial
                      Washington, D.C.
          Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One of the places we wanted to be certain to visit during our recent trip to the Nation's Capital, was the National World War II Memorial.

             World War II Memorial
                   Washington, D.C.
         Photo by John White (2011)


Work was in progress on the memorial during my last visit to D.C. in 2003, so I was anxious to see it in its completed form.


The WWII Memorial is located on 7.4 acres of land between the Washington Monument & Lincoln Memorial.


It honors the 16 million men & women, including my dad, Roy G. White*, who served in WWII.


Two 43 foot pavilions mark victory in the war's major theaters: Atlantic & Pacific & 56 17 foot pillars represent states, territories & the District of Columbia. 

                         Tennessee Pillar
                World War II Memorial
           Photo by John White (2011)


We found the "Freedom Wall" to be most impressive with its 4000 sculptured gold stars which represent 400,000+ Americans who gave their lives in the war.

                           Freedom Wall
                        WWII Memorial
            Photo by John White (2011)


*I've included a story in JFK+50 on my dad's service in WWII previously.  He was given the opportunity to tour the WWII Memorial with a group of veterans a few years back. 


Today my dad is celebrating his 88th Birthday.  Happy Birthday, Dad, & thanks for your service in the United States Army in WWII.

         Jennifer at the WWII Memorial
                    Washington, D.C.
                     September 2011
                Photo by John White


October 9, 2011


"PAN AM" AIRS "ICH BIN EIN BERLINER"


Tonight's episode of  ABC-TV's "Pan Am", airing at 10 p.m. (EDT), is titled "Ich Bin Ein Berliner".


The crew is aboard a flight that is taking journalists to Berlin in order to cover an expected speech by President Kennedy.


Maggie is determined to meet JFK after working on his campaign.


Kate tries to help her endangered contact.*


*A thank you to my daughter Jennifer for alerting me to this program.

                   Pan Am Boeing 707
                  Zurich, Switzerland
     Photo by Eduard Marmet (1985)


October 9, 1959


SENATOR KENNEDY ADDRESS LABOR COUNCIL


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy spoke to the delegates of the 2nd convention of the Massachusetts Labor Council of the AFL-CIO today here in Boston.

The address was given at the Statler-Hilton Hotel.


Senator Kennedy said that he plans to introduce a bill to raise the minimum wage & to increase unemployment compensation.


Union president, William J. Belanger, introduced a resolution asking Kennedy to be a candidate  for President of the United States in 1960.


In response, JFK said: 


In "Ecclesiastes" it says:  "'There is a time to fish & a time to cut bait'....  
I believe this is the time to fish & January 1960 (will be) the time to cut bait."


October 9, 1955


BOSTON SUNDAY POST PUBLISHES SENATOR KENNEDY'S REPORT ON POLAND


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The Boston Sunday Post today published an article by Senator John F. Kennedy detailing his observations of Poland during his current European tour.


The article details JFK's perceptions of the crowded apartment conditions, the high cost of goods, the conditions of the Warsaw ghetto where the Nazis confined Jews during the occupation, control of the press by the government & government attempts to subvert the church.

October 9, 1942


AUSSIES ADOPT STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER


Canberra, NSW, Australia (JFK+50) The government of Australia today formally adopted the Statute of Westminster of 1931 today here in Canberra.


The statute, passed by the British Parliament, established legislative equality for self-government in the dominions of the British Empire & United Kingdom.


The Statute of Westminster applied to Canada, the Irish Free State & South Africa with no qualification, but Australia's status, along with that of New Zealand & Newfoundland, were contingent upon adoption by their own legislatures.*


*New Zealand adopted the statute in 1947 but Newfoundland never adopted .


October 9, 1635


ROGER WILLIAMS BANNED FROM MASSACHUSETTS


Salem, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Roger Williams, a minister who has repeatedly spoken in favor of religious dissent, was banned today from the Massachusetts Bay Colony by the General Court.


Born in England, Williams arrived in Boston 4 years ago & served as a teacher in the Boston church.  He came to believe, however, that the Church of England is corrupt & so favored the separatist viewpoint.


Williams has preached the belief that every person has a natural right to freedom of religion & he has advocated the separation of church & state.


Having moved here to Salem 2 years ago, Williams, charged with sedition & heresy, was tried & convicted by the General Court of Massachusetts.*


*Roger Williams established Providence Plantation, the 1st colony to separate citizenship & religion. 


Eventually Providence Plantation merged with Rhode Island & the colony was the 1st to declare independence from Great Britain & the last to ratify the United States Constitution.

               Roger Williams Meets 
               Narragansett Indians
  by James Charles Armytage (1856)
           New York Public Library


October 9, 1969


NATIONAL GUARD CALLED TO BREAK UP CHICAGO 8 PROTESTS


Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) The National Guard was called in today to break up demonstrations in protest of the trial of the so-called "Chicago 8".


The "Chicago 8" are the men who are charged with conspiracy to cross state lines to cause a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention held here in Chicago.


The riot referred to in the charge turned violent when anti-war demonstrators were confronted by Chicago police by order of Mayor Richard Daley.


October 9, 1967


CHE GUEVARA EXECUTED IN BOLIVIA


La Higuera, Vallegrande, Bolivia (JFK+50) Che Guevara, guerilla fighter & socialist revolutionary, was assassinated today by soldiers of the army of Bolivia.


Guevara was born in Argentina in 1928 & was awarded a medical degree in 1953.


He became involved in left-wing organizations & soon joined Fidel Castro in seizing power in Cuba in 1959.


Guevara, who served as Castro's Minister of Industry, resigned in 1965 & went to Africa & then Bolivia.*


*The Bolivian soldiers who killed Che Guevara, according to a declassified brief by Peter Kornbluh, were "trained, equipped & guided by U.S. Green Beret & CIA operatives."

                         Che Guevara