The Garden of Remembrance is an official state memorial dedicated to the more than 8,000 Washington State citizens who have given their lives in the service of our country since 1941, including those who served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-9/11 conflicts. Every year on Memorial Day, families are invited to gather at the garden to honor their fallen loved ones. Some bring photos and other mementos to leave at the wall.
"Man was not made for himself alone"
— Plato
The half-acre, L-shaped garden was designed by world-renowned landscape architect Robert Murase (1938–2005), and it lies along the south and west sides of Benaroya Hall. Memorial walls of granite, lined by slender reflecting pools, are oriented so that the names face the western sun. In addition to the walls, excerpts from poems honor veterans who died in our nation’s wars, while lines from letters remind us of the personal connections with home that each name represents. The reflecting pools honor those missing in action, and a waterfall honors those who died in peacetime and other national service. The golden oak tree that centers the garden symbolizes remembrance of the cycle of life, and honors the fallen and their families. The garden was dedicated on July 4, 1998.
