<P> St. Florian's design consists of an architectural sculpture that evokes a classical monument . The two memorial arches, Pacific and Atlantic baldacchinos each have laurel wreaths suspended in the air with 4 eagles carrying it . The chandelier sculpture symbolizes the victory of the War with the Nation's bird carrying a Grecian symbol of victory but with an American adaptation of oak laurel wreaths to symbolize strength . </P> <P> Each of the 56 pillars all consists of oak laurel wreaths and wheat laurel wreath . The oak symbolizes military and industrial strength and the wheat symbolizes agricultural and breadbasket during the U.S. part in the war . </P> <P> Ground was broken in September 2001 . The construction was managed by the General Services Administration . </P> <P> The triumphal arches were crafted by Rock of Ages Corporation . Sculptor Raymond Kaskey created the bronze eagles and wreaths that were installed under the arches, as well as 24 bronze bas - relief panels that depict wartime scenes of combat and the home front . The bronzes were cast over the course of two and a half years at Laran Bronze in Chester, Pennsylvania . The stainless - steel armature that holds up the eagles and wreaths was designed at Laran, in part by sculptor James Peniston, and fabricated by Apex Piping of Newport, Delaware . </P>

When was the world war 2 memorial built in washington dc