In an age where our cities are often scarred by the ugly and the temporary, the unveiling of plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington is a cause for celebration. The proposed monument, featuring gilded lions and the inscription 'One Nation Under God,' seeks to restore a sense of permanence and beauty to the National Mall. For too long, our public architecture has turned its back on the classical traditions that remind us of our inherited greatness.

While some protesters mock this project as an act of vanity, a true conservative understands that we build beautifully because we love our country and want to leave something of value for our grandchildren. A monument is not just stone and gold; it is a physical manifestation of our shared values. By placing this arch near the Arlington Memorial Bridge, we bind our future to the memory of those who sacrificed for our freedom. It is an act of hope that asserts that beauty still matters in our national life.