Washington ? World War II veterans learned Sunday they are about a year and a half away from seeing completion of their war memorial on the National Mall.

The American Battle Monuments Commission announced Sunday the memorial would be dedicated on May 29, 2004.

The commission says that of the 16 million citizens who served in uniform in World War II, fewer than 4 million are expected to be alive when the memorial is dedicated, noting that veterans from that era are dying at a rate of 1,100 a day.

A lengthy court battle was waged over the memorial’s location and design, with opponents maintaining its large-scale design and location would spoil the character of the Mall and interfere with grand vistas long enjoyed by visitors.

The 7.4-acre site is between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The white stone memorial will feature 56 17-foot-high pillars, two four-story arches and a sunken plaza with a pool. On the floor of the arches will be the World War II Victory Medal surrounded by the words “Victory on Land, Victory at Sea, Victory in the Air.”

A registry will contain the names of veterans and others who helped in the war effort.

Construction began in September 2001 and is expected to end in March 2004.