Touring the Shrine: Honoring the Sacrifice for Freedom

This tour was curated by: Virginia War Memorial

The Virginia War Memorial is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s premier monument, museum, and educational center dedicated to Virginians who served to defend the United States from World War II through today. Its mission: To honor veterans, preserve history, educate youth, and inspire patriotism in all.

Entries on This Tour

Introduction to the Virginia War Memorial

This audio will give an introduction to this walking and provide a brief historical sketch of the Virginia War Memorial.

2. The Virginia War Memorial

The Virginia War Memorial is a division of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the Commonwealth is responsible for the facility, and the non-profit Virginia War Memorial Foundation provides financial support for the Memorial’s educational programs, exhibits, and special projects.Five years after the end of World War II, the Virginia General Assembly authorized the construction of a memorial to honor Virginians who had served in World War II. By the time of its completion in 1956, the Memorial included the names of Virginians who lost their lives during World War II and the Korean War.Since 1956, the Virginia War Memorial has continuously expanded. The original 20th century Shrine now houses the names of Virginians killed during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. In 2010, the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center was added. After years of construction, a new wing of the Memorial was dedicated in 2020. The Virginia War Memorial grounds now include more exhibit space, a veterans’ art gallery, a Medal of Honor gallery, and the Shrine of Memory, Global War of Terrorism and Beyond.

3. Anne C. Robins and Walter R. Robins Jr. Lobby

Named after the Anne Carter Robins and Walter R. Robins Foundation, the Robins Lobby serves as the Main Lobby and entrance of the Virginia War Memorial. Guests visiting the Memorial are greeted by docents and a help desk.

4. Changing Exhibition Hall

Audio description of the Changing Exhibition Hall.

5. Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center

The Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center dedicated on February 29, 2010, was one of the first expansions of the Virginia War Memorial. The Galanti Education Center extended the scope of the Memorial beyond a space for contemplation into a museum and center of education. It is home to the Edward A. McMurtrie Grand Lobby. Visitors to the Memorial will not use this entrance into the Virginia War Memorial, instead, they should enter through the Robins Lobby.

6. Edward A. McMurtrie Grand Lobby

Audio description of the Edward A. McMurtrie Grand Lobby

7. Frank D. Hargrove Plaza

The Frank D. Hargrove Plaza sits just outside of the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center and overlooks the E. Bruce Heilman Amphitheater and James River. This area connects the Shrine of Memory, 20th century to the Shrine of Memory, Global War on Terrorism and Beyond, and has stairs to the Heilman Amphitheater below it. The plaza was named in honor of American politician and World War II veteran, Frank D. Hargrove Sr.

8. Shrine of Memory, 20th Century

First dedicated on February 29, 1956, the 20th century Shrine of Memory became the state memorial dedicated to fallen Virginians from World War II. It would later expand to honor Virginia's service members killed in action during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. Resting on a hilltop at Belvidere Street, the Shrine overlooks the James River and is visible from the Robert E. Lee Bridge.

9. Introduction to the Names in the Shrines

10. Paul E. Stryker, World War II

11. Jay Bowman Jr., World War II

12. Memory, Rest of World War II, and Persian Gulf

13. Jonathan M. Williams, Persian Gulf

14. Thomas C.M. Zeugner, Persian Gulf

15. More Shrine and Korean War

16. George W. Jackson Jr., Korean War

17. Gloyd Elwood Rosen Jr., Korean War

18. Vietnam Section

19. Gordon P. Young, Vietnam War

20. Lee Dufford Harley, Vietnam War

21. Leaving the 20th Century Shrine

22. Virginia War Memorial Peace Garden

23. Walkway of Honor

24. Shrine of Memory, Global War on Terrorism and Beyond

The Shrine of Memory, Global War on Terrorism and Beyond, was dedicated on February 28, 2020. Located in the C. Kenneth Wright Pavilion, the 28,000-square-foot expansion project contains a memorial wall that honors the Virginians killed during the war on terrorism, the 1983 Beirut attacks, Grenada, and the USS Cole Bombing.

25. Leslie Denise Jackson, GWOT

26. Shane R. Mahaffee, GWOT

27. Re-Enter the Robins Lobby

28. Conclusion of Tour

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Touring the Shrine: Honoring the Sacrifice for Freedom

Created by Sylvia Marshall on October 30th 2023, 8:10:46 pm.

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Description

This is an audio described walking tour of the 20th Century Shrine of Memory, the Global War on Terrorism and Beyond Shrine of Memory, and portions of the Virginia War Memorial. The tour includes auditory navigation of the upper sections of the Memorial only. The audio descriptions in this tour was developed and recorded by Virginia Voice, a non-profit organization, and their volunteers. The tour can be enjoyed while visiting the Virginia War Memorial or at home. "Touring the Shrine" can be downloaded in advance to a mobile device, and it can also be converted into a PDF. Please enable geofencing and audio narration in the Clio App to fully enjoy this tour.

Entries on This Tour

Touring the Shrine: Honoring the Sacrifice for Freedom

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