This week, Del Ray Patch is taking a look at some of the historical markers and other things that might be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Today we look at the World War II memorial that sits along Mt. Vernon Avenue directly in front of George Washington Middle School. Commuters stream past this memorial every day making their way back and forth to Braddock Road Metro station.  

This middle school was once the only high school in Alexandria. The graduating classes of 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947 erected the memorial in honor of their classmates who perished in the war. 

The west panel reads:

“Dedicated to the memory of the those boys of our boys who served in World War II and did not come back.”

The north and south panels list the names of 46 individuals who lost their lives.

On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the city of Alexandria and the Friends of Rocky Versace hold ceremonies at Mount Vernon Recreation Center near the Rocky Versace Memorial Plaza. On those days, the World War II Memorial at GW is adorned with a ribbon. 

For more information on Alexandria during World War II, click here.