Liberty Memorial Kansas City

This is the National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial. Originally, exhibits were in the two buildings at the sides of the Sphinxes. Several years ago this proud memorial was in bad repair, due to a lack of funding and neglect. During the 60's and early 70's it was not really a very safe place to visit.Mostly hippies and the homeless hung out in the park area surrounding the Memorial.

Around 1988, money was raised to repair the memorial itself and construct a larger WWI museum under the existing memorial. In most of the photos that you will see, the shots are either taken before the bricks were laid in the foreground, or the bricks are cropped out. You can purchase a brick and they will inscribe pretty much whatever sentiment you desire on it. Many of the bricks are inscribed with the names of loved ones who were lost in Europe during WWI. I've always thought one of the interesting features were the Sphinxes, If you look carefully, they are hiding their faces in shame, with their wings. Presumably, they were ashamed that mankind could start such a war, that took so many lives. Remember, this was before World War II. At that time, "the great war" was "the war to end all wars". Because of this belief, the U.S. all but dismantled it's Navy, which nearly cost the U.S. the subsequent "War In The Pacific".

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As an explanation to those in other countries. The United States and it's people do not celebrate war, we do not celebrate victories or losses. We celebrate, and commemorate those who risked their lives, and gave their lives for freedom.