War memorials are silent sentinels that hold within their folds the memories of those who fought and laid their lives during times of turmoil. They are a special kind of historical remembrance that spans the past with the present. Such is the respect that my husband, Chris, and I have toward these places, more so with those associated with World War II.
These hallowed grounds seem to punctuate our travels more often than not. In the past eight years, we’ve come across quite a few moving memorials, museums, and cemeteries around the world.
The International War Museum Holocaust Exhibit, London, England In London, the Holocaust Exhibit at the International War Museum made for a powerful reminder. There, the quiet solemnness did not allow any photography, and we were forced into silent contemplation with the displays and films. As we left the museum, a piece of the Berlin Wall with the painted sign “Change Your Life” was fittingly appropriate for the day’s reflections.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand In Wellington, the Gallipoli exhibit, “The Scale of Our War,” created by Peter Jackson, tells the bitter story of World War I’s campaign in Gallipoli. These life-like, giant figures of eight New Zealand soldiers bring into focus how monumental the sacrifices were that the ANZAC made in a land-based offensive aimed at securing passage through the Dardanelles.
Bataan Death March Memorial Site and Concentration Camp, Capas, Philippines, this is a memorial site dedicated by the Philippines to the fallen of the Bataan Death March, where one can fully be reminded of just how dear the price of war is. The faces etched into the walls at Camp O’Donnell speak volumes about the suffering of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers. The numbers are overwhelming: 74,800 Filipinos and 11,796 Americans among them; many did not survive the march to reach Capas.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC In the United States, the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC creates a solemn experience. For our family, it was an educational visit, making sure that the next generation understands the depth of human history’s dark chapters.
These memorials, each with a story behind the glory, remind us of the human spirit’s strong character and of the sacrifices made toward the freedoms that we enjoy today. They are not just stone and metal pieces but embody acts of bravery and eternal hope for peace.