Apr 27, 2004 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

When 650 local World War II veterans, one of the largest contingents across the country, depart Friday for what could be the biggest gathering of veterans in American history, the storied brothers will also be headed for a ceremony fit for what has been called the “greatest generation.” For 100 days this summer, beginning with the National World War II Memorial dedication Saturday, Washington, D.C., will host about 140 events pertaining to World War II vets that will include everything from marching bands to candlelight vigils.

And, more than 800,000 veterans are expected to attend Memorial Day, Tribute to a Generation weekend events, and millions are expected over the 100-day tribute.

The $172 million memorial was constructed at the Rainbow Pool site on the National Mall, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The service will include remarks from President George W. Bush and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks, who helped spearhead the effort to build the memorial. Pre-ceremony entertainment will include bands performing music from the era, including big band.

Congress authorized the construction of the memorial in 1993, and the American Battle Monuments Commission, an independent agency of the federal government, has conducted the project.

In September 2001, Tompkins Builders and Grunley-Walsh Construction – companies that participated in the construction or renovation of the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the National Air and Space Museum, the White House and the U.S. Capitol – began construction of the tribute.

The site was opened to the public last month.

The expansive memorial is fortressed by two 43-foot-high arches that stand on the north and south ends of the plaza.

The memorial also features eight bronze eagles and 24 bas-relief sculptures commemorating everything from the attack on Pearl Harbor to Rosie the Riveter. Atlantic war panels include renderings of the Battle of the Bulge, the Normandy invasion on D-Day, the air war and tanks in combat. Of the 12 panels that depict the major events in the Pacific theater, highlights include depictions of war bond drives, jungle warfare, amphibious landings and V-J Day.

“Here we mark the price of freedom,” is inscribed on the Freedom Wall, a curved 9-foot high structure located in the memorial, which features 4,000 sculpted gold stars and is banked by waterfalls.

Additionally, the memorial features 112 bronze wreaths and 56 pillars, representing the states and territories that participated in the war effort, linked together by bronze ropes connecting the massive artwork, which cover more than 7 acres.

The entire structure is 384 feet long and 279 feet wide.

More than 500,000 contributions were made to provide the necessary funding for the monument.