The monument is free to visit and is open every day from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and will be on display until August 23. (USAA)
A new National Military Monument exhibit is now on display on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. that allows visitors to search for loved ones who served in the U.S. military and watch their names appear seconds later across two towering digital American flag displays.
The exhibit is sponsored by USAA, and honors more than 41 million Americans who have served in the U.S. military across America’s 250‑year history.
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What they're saying:
"This monument is ultimately about people. Every name represents someone who stepped away from family and chose something greater than themselves. Their service has protected the freedoms we enjoy today and shaped the nation we call home. We hope every person who walks through The National Military Monument leaves thinking about someone they know who served, reflecting on their sacrifice and carrying forward a deeper sense of gratitude," said Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA.
Dig deeper:
USAA says the names in this monument were gathered from military records and public databases dating back to the Revolutionary War along with information from veterans service organizations and USAA members who chose to participate.
The list of names will continue to grow as veterans and families verify military service and submit names not yet represented. Some currently serving military members and veterans may not appear because of privacy protections or gaps in historical records.
What you can do:
The monument is free to visit and is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will be on display until August 23.
As visitors walk alongside, the flags appear to gently wave in the wind, creating a powerful reminder that behind every stripe is a person, a family and a history of service. At the interactive kiosks, visitors can search for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and loved ones who have served.
Visitors can learn more, search for names and submit additional records by visiting USAA.com/Monument250.
About USAA:
USAA was founded in 1922 by a group of military officers and provides insurance, banking and retirement solutions to 14 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families.
The Source: This article includes information from USAA. This story was reported from Orlando.