Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial, War memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens, Westminster, United Kingdom.
The Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial is a war memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens made up of two tall Portland limestone monoliths connected by a bronze plaque. This plaque features reliefs showing military personnel and civilians together.
The memorial was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 March 2017 and honours British citizens who took part in conflicts between 1990 and 2015. It was among the first memorials to recognise both military and civilian contributions in equal measure.
The inscriptions on the stone surfaces reference Iraq and Afghanistan alongside words like duty and service. Visitors can read these messages from different angles around the memorial, which helps convey what the monument stands for.
The memorial stands in a public park and is accessible to visitors year-round without entry charges. It provides a quiet spot to pause and reflect near the riverbank.
The monument reaches 5.5 metres in height, and its two limestone blocks together weigh around 66 tonnes. This substantial size makes it a striking presence in the gardens that draws the eye from some distance away.
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