American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial Dedicated on October 5, 2014

The Memorial is located just east of the United States Capitol Building and the United States Botanic Gardens at 150 Washington Avenue, SW, Washington, DC (Washington Avenue & Second Street SW).

Park Rangers will provide informative tours of the Memorial every Saturday and Sunday from October 11 through November 10 and tours on Tuesday.

Granite Walls
White granite from Bethel, Vermont frames the northwest and southeast perimeter of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. The words of Presidents George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower, both great military leaders and veterans, cut to the heart of the Memorial's mission.

The inscriptions were carved by Nicholas Benson of the John Steven's Shop, in business continually since 1705. John Stevens Shop work can be found on the World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and other famous memorials and sites around the nation.

Reflecting Pool and Star Fountain
The centerpiece of the Memorial's design is the star-shaped fountain and triangular reflecting pool. The quiet flow of the water is intended to remind us of how disabled veterans can, with patience, overcome personal obstacles and find new meaning and purpose in their lives.

The infinity edge of the pool allows a thin layer of water to continually flow smoothly and evenly over three sides before it is recycled back into the pool. Both the reflecting pool and fountain reflect the beauty and artistry of the Memorial back at us.

About the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
Congress approved the Memorial and President Bill Clinton signed the federal legislation into law in October 2000. The law authorized the Disabled Veterans' Life Memorial Foundation to establish a Memorial dedicated to both living and deceased disabled veterans, and to raise all of the funds necessary for construction, maintenance and preservation.

Following an invitation design competition in 2003, the Foundation selected Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd., of Alexandria, Virginia to design the Memorial. The graphics, text and bronze components of the Memorial were created by artist Larry Kirkland in collaboration with Cloud Gehshan Associates. Washington, DC-based architectural firm Shalom Baranes Associates was the project architect.

This memorial is a very humbling experience for me, James Pierce because, it is for all wounded service members. I am only one of many who have fought in war, and to hear other soldiers come up to me and tell me there stories from there wars is not only humbling but it is an honor and I am very proud to have served my country and still be able to do so. I am a wounded service member and a employee for the National Park Service I want to ensure that it is well taken care of for future generations to come.

Tree Grove
A memorial grove of 69 ginkgo and 23 cypress trees form the backdrop to the memorial and signify hope and growth. The ginkgo trees will turn a beautiful shade of gold around Veteran's Day each year and will eventually grow to form an enveloping canopy around the Memorial and its visitors

The urban grove makes up over two-thirds of the 2.4-acre triangular site. Other landscaping features include clipped evergreen hedges that parallel the laminated glass panels, and fragrant shrubs.

Glass Panels
The Memorial's 48 etched glass panels display soldiers' stories through quotations and photographs. Some of these etchings appear on the outside surfaces of the panels, inviting visitors to touch and feel the indentations

Some are on the inside and appear hauntingly translucent. As a result of the laminating process, the Memorial's panels are strong enough to withstand hurricane force winds without bending or breaking. Each panel weighs about 1,800 pounds.

Bronze Sculptures
Sculptor Larry Kirkland and his team crafted four large bronze silhouette sculptures to stand as a meaningful tribute to our country's servicemen. The four sculptures compare and contrast the ideals and realities of the journey taken by all disabled veterans.

Standing alongside the glass panels, which are embedded with images and text, the silhouettes help interpret the challenges and feelings of the disabled veteran: call of duty and pride in service; trauma of injury; healing; and renewal of purpose.

Volunteers are a key part of our operations at National Mall and Memorial Parks without the help of our wonderful and dedicated volunteers our parks would not be in the condition that they are in today. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to lead these volunteers on a daily basis to help preserve some of our nations most iconic memorials! ( James Pierce ).

Ceremonial Flame
The ceremonial flame at the core of the Memorial honors the sacrifices of the nation's soldiers. Rising above the star shaped fountain, the flame engages the senses of the viewer in heat and light

Standing the test of time and wind, dark and light, the ceremonial flame is an eternal tribute to the strength and sacrifice of veterans. Breaking through the surface of the dark fountain, the flame reminds us of how light rises from dark.

Volunteers are needed to help with the upkeep of the Memorial.
To assist please contact Jenn Kays Volunteer Program Manager National Mall and Memorial Parks. Office: (202) 245-4688

James Pierce a Disabled for Life Veteran, now works full time for the National Mall and Memorial Parks as a Volunteer Coordinator. James is coming from Operation Guardian where they take wounded service members and place them into the park service nation wide.

October 1, 2012 S/Sgt. James Pierce was hit by a suicide bomber in Khost Providence Afghanistan. The blast killed three of his team members and he is one of three survivors. They were doing a dismounted patrol at the time of the attack.