Piedmont is honored to be the temporary home to the traveling World War II Memorial during the 2018 Fourth of July celebration and the town’s bicentennial.
The traveling memorial is a replica of the actual memorial in the US capitol and consists of the Wall of Stars (aka Wall of Freedom), the Atlantic & Pacific Pavilions, 56 pillars and stands with oak and wheat wreaths. There is a granite slab with President Roosevelt’s quote, as well as a quote from General MacArthur spanning three granite slabs. The sign positioned in the center of the Wall of Stars reads “Here Marks the Price of Freedom” which is intentionally different from the sign in front of the memorial in Washington D.C. which reads, “Here We Mark the Price of Freedom.”
There are 4,048 gold stars; each one representing 100 American military deaths. This means that more than 400,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and military personnel lost their lives or remain missing in action in World War II. Of 16 million men and women in military service during the time, that number represents 1 death out of every 40.
The memorial is displayed on the greenway in Piedmont through July 7. A parade on July 4 at 6 pm in Piedmont will feature WWII veterans on a float and other patriotic entries and a closing ceremony is set for 3 pm on Saturday, July 7.
