"[1] Pennsylvania Avenue, the boulevard that links the U.S. Capitol and White House, was chosen as the site for a memorial to all of the U.S. sea services.

"[1] In the spring of 1977, Burke, a former three-term Chief of Naval Operations, started to recruit a group to form the private, non-profit U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation.

), began work on the enabling legislation, design, site selection, and fund raising that would lead to the construction and subsequent of a memorial.

During the summer of 2006, the water in the fountains of the Navy Memorial was colored blue with chemicals added to fight algae growth.

Its southern hemisphere is surrounded by 26 bronze high reliefs commemorating events, personnel, and communities of the various sea services.

The Visitor Center is a small museum that houses exhibits one story below street level like The American Sailor: Agile, Capable, and Talented and Zumwalt: The Current that Brought the Navy to the Shores of the 20th Century.

After visitors explore the exhibits, ship models, commemorative plaques, uniforms, and badges and insignia on display, they can step inside the Delbert D. Black National Chief's Mess.

This interactive space informs the public about the important and unique role of a Navy Chief Petty Officer.

The Media Resource Center provides a library of printed, audio and video historical documents on the Navy.

The Navy Log room has touch-screen kiosks to register and search for Sea Service members and veterans.