Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Our Air Force Memorial, Arlington Virginia

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026

1. Our Air Force Memorial, Arlington Virginia Marker

Inscription.

Our Air Force Memorial, Arlington Virginia. . "Exalting Aerospace Pioneers; Honoring Those Who Serve; Beckoning Those Who Will." The Air Force Memorial commemorates “Airmen”, past, present, and future. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the world witnessed the Air Force using advanced technology and delivering a degree of air superiority undreamed of by the World War II Army Air Corps. A small band of patriots, members from the Air Force Association and Air Force Sergeants Association, realized that the Air Force, at last, possessed the keys to true air dominance, and that there was no national memorial to commemorate that fact., On October 14, 2006, fifteen years after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, President George W. Bush dedicated the Air Force Memorial to Airmen. Renowned architect James I. Freed designed the Memorial by first borrowing the runway patterns from World War II airfields. He further ensured the 5-pointed star remains prominent in the public eye as it is on Air Force aircraft, missiles, and the rank on our sleeves., The star is centered at the base of the three asymmetrical spires reaching heights of 201, 231, and 270 feet. The spires, at the foot of a runway, are diametrically opposed from World War II quotes by our founding father’s General's Billy Mitchel, Henry “Hap” Arnold, and Carl Spaatz., On the northern and southern boundaries of the parade field stand 10-foot high, 56-foot long granite walls. The theme of the northern wall is “Valor.” All aerospace Medal of Honor recipients and their hometowns are listed beginning with the World War I U.S. Army Air Corps aviators, Lieutenants Bleckley, Goetler, Luke, and Rickenbacker. Currently, the most recent Medal of Honor recipient listed is TSgt John A. Chapman, who, in 2002, died valiantly in Afghanistan. Nearby stands a glass contemplation wall engraved with the 4-ship missing man formation, paying tribute to all Airmen we’ve lost., The southern wall inscription theme is “Values.” The center panels represent the Air Force’s core values with quotes defining the contributions of so many to the nation. Listed here are two centuries of combat and contingency campaigns. Central to the Air Force Memorial is the towering 16-foot bronze Honor Guard Statue, created by renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis. The statue is a testimony to the Air Force’s military courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies. Most importantly, the Honor Guard statue represents what we value the most, our people., “A Soldier can walk the battlefields where [they] once fought; a Marine can walk the beaches [they] once stormed; but an Airman can never visit the patch of sky [they] raced across on a mission to defend freedom. And so it’s fitting that, from this day forward, the men and women of the Air Force will have this memorial, a place here on the ground that recognizes their achievements and sacrifices in the skies above.” President George W. Bush, AF Memorial Dedication October 14, 2006

"Exalting Aerospace Pioneers; Honoring Those Who Serve; Beckoning Those Who Will." The Air Force Memorial commemorates “Airmen”—past, present, and future. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the world witnessed the Air Force using advanced technology and delivering a degree of air superiority undreamed of by the World War II Army Air Corps. A small band of patriots, members from the Air Force Association and Air Force Sergeants Association, realized that the Air Force, at last, possessed the keys to true air dominance—and that there was no national memorial to commemorate that fact.

On October 14, 2006, fifteen years after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, President George W. Bush dedicated the Air Force Memorial to Airmen. Renowned architect James I. Freed designed the Memorial by first borrowing the runway patterns from World War II airfields. He further ensured the 5-pointed star remains prominent in the public eye as it is on Air Force aircraft, missiles, and the rank on our sleeves.

The star is centered at the base of the three asymmetrical spires reaching heights of 201, 231, and 270 feet. The spires, at the foot of a runway, are diametrically opposed from World War II quotes by our founding father’s General's Billy Mitchel, Henry “Hap” Arnold, and Carl Spaatz.

On the northern and southern boundaries

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of the parade field stand 10-foot high, 56-foot long granite walls. The theme of the northern wall is “Valor.” All aerospace Medal of Honor recipients and their hometowns are listed beginning with the World War I U.S. Army Air Corps aviators—Lieutenants Bleckley, Goetler, Luke, and Rickenbacker. Currently, the most recent Medal of Honor recipient listed is TSgt John A. Chapman, who, in 2002, died valiantly in Afghanistan. Nearby stands a glass contemplation wall engraved with the 4-ship missing man formation—paying tribute to all Airmen we’ve lost.

The southern wall inscription theme is “Values.” The center panels represent the Air Force’s core values with quotes defining the contributions of so many to the nation. Listed here are two centuries of combat and contingency campaigns. Central to the Air Force Memorial is the towering 16-foot bronze Honor Guard Statue, created by renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis. The statue is a testimony to the Air Force’s military courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies. Most importantly, the Honor Guard statue represents what we value the most—our people.

“A Soldier can walk the battlefields where [they] once fought; a Marine can walk the beaches [they] once stormed; but an Airman can never visit the patch of sky [they] raced across on a mission to defend freedom. And so it’s fitting that, from this day
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026

2. Our Air Force Memorial
View from the south side of the parade ground.
forward, the men and women of the Air Force will have this memorial, a place here on the ground that recognizes their achievements and sacrifices in the skies above.” President George W. Bush, AF Memorial Dedication October 14, 2006

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military.

Location. 38° 52.147′ N, 77° 4.011′ W. Memorial is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It can be reached from Air Force Memorial Drive north of Columbia Pike (Virginia Route 244), on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the north face of the offices and restrooms structure at the Air Force Memorial. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1 Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington VA 22204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Indian Warriors and Their Brothers (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert Edwin Peary (about 700 feet away); Matthew Alexander Henson (about 700 feet away); U.S. Coast Guard Memorial (about 800 feet away); Freedman’s Village (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Freedman's Village (approx. ¼ mile away); The Vietnamese Airborne Division and Their Advisors (approx. ¼ mile away); You Are Remembered (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Air Force Memorial 2006 Dedication Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026

3. Air Force Memorial 2006 Dedication Stone

On the ground in the center of the spires.

Air Force Memorial Honor Guard & South Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026

4. Air Force Memorial Honor Guard & South Wall

There is a large amount of text on the South Wall. Three panels describe Air Force values (Integrity, Service, and Excellence). The remaining panels list the combat campaigns of the Air Force and its predecessor organizations, dating back to 1907.

Air Force Memorial North Wall & Missing Man Formation Contemplation Pane image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026

5. Air Force Memorial North Wall & Missing Man Formation Contemplation Pane

Beyond the glass engraved Missing Man formation is the North Wall, which includes three panels about Valor, Courage, and Sacrifice, respectively. The remaining panels list each Medal of Honor recipient from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations. Note: the subject marker is on the back side of this wall, where the restrooms and administrative offices are.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.