WASHINGTON - The National World War II Memorial is opening to the public on Thursday after almost two decades in the making. While the formal dedication ceremony is still a month away, project organizers have been racing to put the finishing touches on the memorial so that the ever-dwindling number of veterans from that era can visit it.

Nearly 60 years after World War II, the more than 16 million men and women who were in uniform during the conflict will finally have a national monument - a testament to their service and sacrifice.

American World War II vets are dying at a rate of 1,056 a day, the Veterans Affairs Department estimates. Fewer than 4 million will be alive at the time of the Memorial Day weekend dedication.

Organizers announced the "soft opening" date late Wednesday, heralding a big day for veterans and tourists who, until now, have only been able to peek at the memorial from behind the confines of wire fencing that surrounds the site.

Once the fence comes down, visitors will be able to walk freely about the memorial, which spans the length of a football field and sits prominently between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.

The $174 million project is the culmination of years of arm-twisting and fund raising by veterans, including former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole. From schoolchildren to corporations, more than $195 million was raised. The remaining money will be put in a trust fund for future use.

The dedication next month is expected to draw a big crowd. Some 117,000 free tickets were snapped up in a matter of weeks, and there's a waiting list with 50,000 names on it.

President Bush and all the living former presidents have been invited to the event.

The Smithsonian Institution is planning four days of festivities on the National Mall to coincide with the May 29 dedication ceremony.

"We certainly think this could be the largest gathering of World War II veterans in one place since war ended in 1945," said Jim Deutsch, program curator for the National World War II Reunion.

At the "Tribute to a Generation," there will be two stages playing music from the 1940s from the Ink Spots, the Artie Shaw Orchestra and others.

Eight tents will cover four blocks along the Mall. In one tent, veterans can reunite with old comrades. And under another, veterans will share their stories and experiences. Dole and former Democratic presidential candidate and Sen. George McGovern are among those expected to speak.

"What we're interested in learning about is what World War II meant to members of this generation," Deutsch said.

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On the Net:

World War II Memorial: http://www.wwiimemorial.com

Smithsonian's Tribute to a Generation: http://www.folklife.si.edu

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