Kilroy Was Here

Kilroy was here. That is a phrase everyWorld War II participant recalls. No one is really sure where the phrase actually started though there are many theories. However, that messge was scrawled on walls, sidewalks, tanks, aircraft and nearly everything else in the early 1940s. It was such a pervasive symbol that is is now inscribed on the National World War II monument in Washington, not once but twice. It is in the rear of the monument on the side facing the Lincon Memorial in stair wells behind the fountains.

The National World War II monument itself is impressive. There are pillars for each state or territory and it is divided into Pacific and Atlantic areas of the war. The inscriptions on the walls tell a lot about the history of those times. When I was there in mid June 2010, it was being visited, as it is almost constantly, by veterans of that war. Many were in wheel chairs or naviagating with canes. There are fewer of us every day. For many it is a reminder of lost friends and family. For others it is a reminder of times when this country was united as it had never been before nor has been since.