After we debarked from the ship we took a daylong bus ride to our evening destination at McKinley Park. Alaska Veteran’s Memorial (Mat-Su Region) in Denali State Park was an important stop along the way. (Denali National Park runs northwest of the state park.)
Five twenty-foot tall concrete panels arranged in a semi-circle honored each branch of the armed services.
Nearby we found an amateur photographer’s dream photo op: the Alaska Range.
Very few people bothered to acknowledge the Veteran’s Memorial. They hurried to the mountain view. In one way I understood—the mountains were truly breathtaking, but in another, it made me sad.
To quote President Calvin Coolidge, “A nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”
The plaque below provided an interesting story from World War II that I’d never heard before.
The choice of this scenic spot for the memorial gave me pause to think. Many beautiful places are included in the United States of America. Alaska is one of them. If the battle for Attu had NOT been successful, would Alaska be part of this country?
I am grateful for the heroism and sacrifice of veterans and their families. If this includes you, thank you.
Until next time…Travel Light,
SuZan
©2016 SuZan Klassen
SuZan Klassen 
That’s a new story for me too, SuZan. What an unexpected pleasure to stumble on in Alaska!
Yes. It seemed to me that the combined memorial and outlook were deliberate.
Interesting memorial – I didn’t know “intrepidity” was a word. Love your fabulous picture!
I wondered about that word, too. Another word to show how our vocabularies have changed.
This story from World War II blew me away! I am so grateful you took the time to investigate the monument. Your series on Alaska has inspired a greater desire in me to visit someday.
I hope you are able to go. It’s a great place.