Air Force Memorial
The Memorial is meant to honor the millions of men and women who have served in the Air Force since it was created, Sept. 18, 1947. Set of three stainless steel spires that jut from the ground, the tallest of which reaches 270 feet into the air. The spires are meant to represent the Air Force's three core values as well as the "total force," which include members of the active duty Air Force, the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. Visually, the three spires remind visitors of the smoke trails left by aircraft of the Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team when they perform the "bomb burst" maneuver. (color), Graphic by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency.