World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Omaha Beach
Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Letter
Dear General Herrling:
During its meeting of 18 November 2004, the Commission reviewed and approved the revised concept for a new visitors center at the World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial near Omaha Beach, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Although the design is greatly improved, there are continued concerns about the design of the Sacrifice Gallery. The Commission believes the tower element is too tall, and there also was a feeling that no individual space or sculptural object can express the entirety of the sacrifice. As the gallery appears to be a substitution for the expression of sacrifice present throughout the cemetery, further evaluation of the necessity of this tower feature is requested.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this and other projects for the American Battle Monuments Commission. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday the 25th of January 2005, with a submission deadline on the 6th of January. As always, the staff is available should you require additional guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/Frederick J. Lindstrom
Acting Secretary
Major General John P. Herrling
Secretary
American Battle Monuments Commission
Courthouse Plaza, Suite 500
2300 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
cc: David B. Greenbaum, FAIA, SmithGroup