D-Day Memorial Design Chosen to Honor WWII Veterans

UPDATE 7/11/2006: Earlier enthusiasm may have been misplaced. There is a quite comprehensive post over at error theory. The public comment period is open Error Theory: Comment period now open for Flight 93 memorial: Keep the crescent-mosque off of the crash-site!

UPDATE: 11/30/2005 A small win against the forces of Dhimmitude! Apparently the design has been changed!

WASHINGTON The heroic struggle by young soldiers who opened the Western front in Europe on June 6, 1944, will be commemorated in a 2,000-acre memorial site that includes a chapel with metallic wind chimes.

The "Crooked Cross" memorial, created by a team of designers led by Paul Murdoch Architects of Los Angeles, was chosen Wednesday. The aim of the one-year competition was to honor the thousands of Allied troops who took part in the landings on the beaches of Normandy.

The chapel, featuring wind chimes symbolizing the casualties of the battle, will stand at the entryway to the vast park.

"The idea is, as the wind continues through the site, there will be sounds generated that will act as a living memory to those who died," Murdoch said.

The memorial in will also include pedestrian trails, hedges and a roadway leading to a visitor center which will be surrounded by a cross of trees. The names of the Allied and Axis dead inscribed on a white marble wall.

D-Day was the beginning of the end of the war declared by Britain after Germany and Russia annexed Poland in 1939, which combined with Austria, the Sudetenland, and Czechslovkia formed the basis for the first unified government in Europe.  It would take almost 60 years for Europe to unite again under German leadership.  Millions died in the final year of the war.

"The design did a good job of incorporating the landscape," said a relative of one veteran "It was important for us to not disturb the sanctity of the site. It really harnesses the spirit of our heroes."

A 15-member jury made up of family members, community members and design professionals was tasked with making a final recommendation on the design. Five finalists were selected from 1,011 designs.

Murdoch's design still must get the approval of the director of the National Park Service and the secretary of the Interior.

By unveiling the design in Washington, organizers hope to garner more publicity for their campaign to raise $30 million in private money for the project.

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