Rosslyn in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Seabees ~ Can Do
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
1. Seabees ~ Can Do Marker
We build ~ We fight
For peace with freedom
(On the frieze behind the statue):
With willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a bit longer
(On the panel to the left of the statue):
In Memoriam
Dedicated to the men of the United States Naval Construction Batallions
The Seabees
Born in the early days of World War II when the nation was in dire peril, their mission was to build bases for the combat forces, to defend those bases and to provide support of whatever kind required.
Organized and commanded by officers of the Civil Engineer Corps of the Navy, recruited largely from building trades of organized labor, butressed by the construction industry, the Seabees quickly proved their total competence.
High morale, expert skills, versatile ingenuity, strong devotion to duty and deep sympathy for the needy are the hallmarks of their record. Their motto "Can Do" symbolizes their tradition and their achievements.
Generations of Seabees have added to the laurels of their forbears. In war and in peace they have maintained their high repute as builders,
this page online
(On the panel to the right of the statue):
Eternal Father, strong to save
whose arm hath bound the restless wave
who biddest the mighty ocean deep
its own appointed limits keep
O hear us when we cry to Thee
for those in peril on the sea.
Lord, stand beside the men who build
and give them courage, strength and skill
O grant them peace of heart and mind
and comfort loved ones left behind
Lord, hear our prayer for all Seabees
where ere they be on land or sea.
Erected 1974.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list.
Location. 38° 53.049′ N, 77° 3.868′ W. Memorial is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Rosslyn. It is on Memorial Drive near Richmond Highway (U.S. 1). Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Fort Myer VA 22211, 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
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
2. Frieze Behind Statue
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 4th Infantry (Ivy) Division (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hiker (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridge to Peace (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bridge to Peace (within shouting distance of this marker); Avenue of Heroes (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Evelyn Byrd (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Price of Freedom" (about 700 feet away); Arlington National Cemetery (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
More about this memorial. When the United States was suddenly and dramatically pulled into World War
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
3. Statue and Left-Hand Panel
Soon its members were universally known by the nickname derived from those initials, the Seabees.
Along Memorial Drive near the Arlington Cemetery Metro stop, this monument is dedicated to the men who have served as Seabees. A larger-than-life figure dominates the monument depicting the momentous contributions made by the Construction Battalion. The image is that of a Seabee, who in the midst of a construction project, stops to make friends with a young child.
On a semicircular bronze bass-relief, sculptor Felix de Weldon (who also sculpted of the Iwo Jima monument) depicted scenes of Seabees at work in various construction trades. Prominently displayed is the Seabees slogan "Can Do." The graphic memorial was dedicated on May 27, 1974.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
4. Panel To The Left Of Statue
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
5. Panel to the Right of Statue
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026
6. Seabees Memorial - Seabee Deployment Sites
Though hard to see, there is a list of locations where the Seabees were deployed on the back of both the left and right columns of the monument. This is the left (west) one.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 9, 2026
7. Seabees Memorial - Seabee Deployment Sites
This is the rear of the right (east) column. The picture is poor, but some of the deployment sites can be read. Bushes crowd this part of the memorial so much that getting a camera in position to clearly capture the list is effectively impossible in 2026.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,047 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 23, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on July 7, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
