Though Memorial Day is widely loved for marking the unofficial start of summer (and a season of barbecues, pools, and beach visits), the purpose of the day is to commemorate those who died while serving in America's armed forces.
With the holiday nearly upon us (coming right up this Monday, May 30), we're casting our eyes to the country's most important war monuments—from Washington, D.C. to Honolulu. The dozen Instagram snaps below take viewers on a virtual tour of monuments from Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the African-American Civil War Monument in our nation's capital, to the lesser-known but no less beautiful Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana. Take a look.
5 Henry Bacon Drive NW, Washington, D.C. 20245
2. African American Civil War Memorial
1925 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
3. Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery
1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, VA 22211
4. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204
5. USS Arizona Memorial at World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument
1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818
100 West 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
7. Korean War Veterans Memorial
10 Daniel French Drive SW, Washington, D.C. 20245
420 Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
9. The National D-Day Memorial
3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA 24523
10. National World War II Memorial
1750 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20006
11. Peace Monument
East Capitol Street NE & First Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20004
621 S Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA 23220