The Washington County Veterans Memorial honors American service members from the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and gives thanks to the men and women who took the military oath to serve, protect, and defend the United States of America. Built of materials native to Indiana, it uses symbolism and numerology tied to American independence, Indiana, sacrifice, and remembrance. The memorial rests on 76 pavers recalling the Spirit of '76, arranged in a grid 13 pavers long for the original colonies and 6 pavers wide for Indiana as the sixth state added after formation of the Union. A missing paver at the southeast corner represents unknown soldiers whose identities were lost, and a missing paver at the northwest corner represents former and present MIA's and POW's during captivity. From the pavers rise 21 uprights symbolizing a 21-gun salute, placed chronologically from east to west to reflect the settlement pattern of the country and the county. Every major conflict of the United States is represented except the Spanish-American War, because no Washington County native is known to have died in that conflict and the purpose is not to glorify war but to remember those who fought for the nation's freedoms and especially to honor those who gave their lives. Whole columns appear on the Revolutionary War uprights and two War of 1812 uprights, matching columns on the county courthouse and signifying that after the first and second Wars for Independence, the people named there came or returned to the area and lived whole and complete lives, many becoming pillars of county communities. The remaining uprights bear broken columns, a long-standing symbol of loss of life, each made different to reflect the uniqueness of each name it stands for. Five ashlars crown the complete columns, recalling the fingers and toes of the human body and calling to mind the hands and feet of those who dug trenches, held guns, raised the flag, marched into war, and stood for a way of life. Left unfinished and unpolished, these stones also signify that the work of making America a better place to live is never done.