The U.S. Navy Memorial honors those who have served, are currently serving, and will serve in the United States Navy.

The Lone Sailor statue depicts a life-size young sailor standing watch over international waters while missing his family back in port. The waters the statue "guards" -- those in the fountains surrounding the memorial -- truly are international. Every April, in a ceremony called "The Blessing of the Fleet", Navy ships from around the world bring buckets of water from the seven seas and the five Great Lakes to "seed" the waters of the fountain.