[originaltext] Thousands of veterans from the Second World War have gathered

Thousands of veterans from the Second World War have gathered in Washington for the dedication of a monument to those who served in the conflict. From the White House VOA’s Scott Stearns reports President Bush says it is a fitting tribute to the 16 million Americans who took part.
   The new memorial stands at the center of the nation’s capital with two tall granite arches representing the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of battle. 4,000 gold stars mark the more than 400,000 American lives lost in the conflict. Below the stars an inscription reads, "Here we mark the price of freedom." In dedicating the monument, President Bush heralded the sacrifices of what has come to be known as "America’s Greatest Generation", including the service of his own father, the former president George Herbert Walker Bush, who was shot down as a Navy pilot. The president and his father were joined at the dedication by former President Bill Clinton and former Senator Bob Dole, a World War II veteran who was instrumental in raising private donations for the 175 minion-dollar project. Scott Stearns, VOA news at the White House.