"To Those that Served" is a tour of the history of Washington's monuments to our fallen heroes. These monuments stand as silent reminders of the sons and daughters that have died in the service of our country.

Vocabulary

• Robert E. Lee
• caissons
• the Vietnam Memorial
• U.S.C.T.
• Arlington Ladies
• Gold Star Mothers
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Congressional Medal of Honor
• Maya Ying Lin
• Iwo Jima
• Joe Rosenthal
• Jan Scruggs
• Joe Louis

Discussion Questions

1. How many American soldiers died in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam combined?
2. Discuss the statement made of the men who fought on Iwo Jima in W.W.II, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue." What does that statement say about the men that fought on that heavily defended island in the Pacific?
3. Why did we need to build a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
4. If you leave an item at the Vietnam Memorial in memory of a friend of relative, such as a letter, what happens to this item? Explain why the park service does this.
5. Why was there so much debate over the construction of the Vietnam Memorial? Would there have been so much debate if we had won the war?
6. What is the most visited grave site in the country? What draws people there?
7. There are twenty-six approved symbols available for headstones that are used in Arlington National Cemetery. Why is this? What does this tell you about the military in the United States? What does this show you about America?

Research Project

1. Research the Battle of Iwo Jima. Why was it such a difficult island to capture? In a brief essay explain your answer.
2. Write a short story or poem inspired by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
3. Imagine you lost a friend or relative in the Vietnam War. Describe how you feel when you see his name on the wall of the Vietnam Memorial. What might you leave as a token of remembrance?