WASHINGTON -- Thousands will flock to Washington this weekend to see a city known for its monuments.

But nestled in a grove on the south side of the National Mall is what some call the city's forgotten monument, the D.C. World War I Memorial.

"It could stand a good cleaning, I think," said Judith Mabry, a visitor from Alabama. "It seems a bit disrespectful."

Mabry and her family are on their third trip to the nation's capital, and she said this is the first time they have heard of the World War I Memorial.

"It's just sort of tucked off in the trees, and you just don't see it," Mabry said.

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It's been about 30 years since the memorial had major repair work.

With only one known surviving veteran from World War I, groups like the American Legion are continuing their push to restore the memorial's prominence and stature.

A group from New York laid flowers at the site on Friday.

"The American Legion wants to ensure that the memories and the history of those veterans who fought the Great War, particularly those who paid the supreme sacrifice, do not fade into oblivion," said John Sommers with the American Legion.

The National Park Service is responsible for the maintenance of all memorials on the National Mall.

A park service spokesman said the neglect of the memorial is obvious, but it hasn't been intentional.

"We acknowledge that work needs to be done at the D.C. War Memorial," said spokesman Bill Line. "We acknowledge that it doesn't look as good as we wish that it could. We are working to correct that."

The park service said it has requested more than $1 million to rehabilitate the memorial. If the funding is approved, it will not be available until fiscal years 2009 or 2010.