This lasting tribute to the men and women who fought for the principles of freedom, both abroad and at home, recognizes their contributions as well as educate present and future generations about World War II and its impact as the world’s greatest military effort to date.

Maryland’s World War II Memorial is unique. Visitors will literally walk through history when visiting the four-sided open-air amphitheater surrounded by a 100-foot diameter ring of 48, 9-foot tall, gray granite pillars. These pillars represent the 48 states at the time of the war. The names of 6,454 Marylanders who lost their lives are etched in granite, providing a lasting tribute to their ultimate contributions. Twenty granite stones accented with stainless steel plaques describe wartime milestones and key events, in addition to contributions made by those 288,000 Maryland men and women who served in the military and those who served at home in the fields and in industry. Two 14-foot diameter granite globes depict the location of key battles in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. A seven-sided stainless steel obelisk, representing Maryland’s status as the country’s seventh state, is accented by a star which will be illuminated each night. Read more…

The United States Naval Academy (also known as USNA, Annapolis, or Navy) is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. Established in 1845 under Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, it is the second-oldest of the United States’ five service academies, and educates officers for commissioning primarily into theUnited States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The 338-acre (137 ha) campus is located on the former grounds of Fort Severn at the confluence of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay, approximately 33 miles (53 km) east of Washington, D.C. and 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Baltimore, Maryland. The entire campus is a National Historic Landmark and home to many historic sites, buildings, and monuments.

You and your family are encouraged to take a guided walking tour the Academy with professional, certified Naval Academy guides through the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. Visitor Center hours are 9:00am-5:00pm March through December and 9:00am-4:00pm January and February. Proceeds from the sale of Visitor Center tours and tax-free merchandise at the Naval Academy Gift Shop benefit the Brigade of Midshipmen.