Newport News, Virginia
25th St. and West Ave.
GPS coordinates: 36.97693,-76.43234
Take a photo of your rally flag with the above image.

The Victory Arch was erected in 1919 as a memorial to those who served in the American armed forces during periods of war, and then rebuilt in 1962.

Newport News served as a Port of Embarkation for the American armed forces during World War I. Following the Armistice, almost half a million American troops were set to return to America via the ports of the city. Public desire to build an arch was high, mimicking the erection of similar arches elsewhere in the country. While many wished the structure to be permanent, the rate at which soldiers were already returning made this unfeasible. It was then decided to build a temporary arch and upgrade it later.

The original structure was hollow with a framework of brick and wood, and stucco making up the exterior. As troops returned to American soil, they were marched under the arch. Initial crowds were small, but with the help of the city's Welcome Home Committee, soon every ship full of soldiers was met by larger and larger crowds of local citizens.

Also in the area: Riders can walk in the young soldiers' footsteps by taking a short stroll to the west, to Victory Landing Park lies on the James River.

Tour of Honor-Virginia is sponsored by Tim Huls for GWRRA Virginia Region N Chapter L.