Monuments Day in DC

LeeAnne was tired this morning so decided to take it easy to begin with and meet us later...the joys of mass transit!  We headed up the hill to the bus stop and then down to the Metro Station and into DC.  Got off near the Mall to begin our days adventure.  We have not been in DC as tourists for a good 10 years or more so lots to see!  It was a beautiful day, though a mite nippy early in the morning!

Our day started at the World War II Memorial.  The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis.   The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004 and was dedicated one month later on May 29. 

As you walk down into it there are dozens of marvelous bronzes along each side illustrating activities of the soldiers and those remaining at home to support the war effort.  All branches of the military involved are represented.  These were airborne...

Normandy Invasion...

through the celebrations when the troops returned home.

I could have spent all day here!

Each state has a wreath on a column.

 with Atlantic events and Pacific events on each side.

 Washington Monument in the background.

 Significant events have a plaque.

There were a number of veterans there today.  It was very moving and at times difficult to witness the emotions involved with their visits at this and the other war memorials.  It was a very quiet and somber morning.

A trek down the Mall brought us to...

The Lincoln Memorial - always a special place.

Back to the the path down to the Viet Nam Memorial next.  The Vietnam Women's Memorial honors the women of the US Armed Forces who took part in the war.  It depicts three women coming to the aid of a fallen soldier and recalls the courage and sacrifice of all women who served.

 We then walked down to the Wall.  It's not an easy time for my Viet Nam Vet, but better than earlier visits.

 Doing a rubbing of a loved ones name.

The Three Servicemen Statue. 

 A further walk down the path brought us to the Korean War Veterans Memorial.  It honors those Americans who answered the call, those who worked and fought under the most trying of circumstances, and those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom.  These 19 statues depict a squad on patrol.

 

 On the left is a black granite wall that mirrors the statues intermingling the reflected images with the faces etched into the granite.

 These etchings are based on photographs of unidentified American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.  They represent all those who provided support for the ground troops.

There is a resting spot on the far side of the Pool of Remembrance.

There is constant subtle motion in this Pool of Remembrance.
Lots of though about my cousin Ev who served in Korea.

 Across the street and into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The image of Martin Luther King on the Stone of Hope stands forward of, and is detached from, the Mountain of Despair, a massive gateway representative of the struggle faced in the pursuit of social equality and peace.

On the surrounding walls are quotes.  Very impressive.

Time to find some lunch..we walked through a park area and then crossed Constitution Avenue and found a hot dog stand.  We walked down to the National Academy of Science and ate our lunch and then admired their Einstein Memorial.

 In his hand is a tablet with three of his important scientific equations - the photoelectric effect, the equivalence of energy and matter, and the theory of general relativity.  We had been wondering why we hadn't heard from LeeAnne.  While John was taking pictures of Einstein, I was just watching the foot traffic going by.  And, low and behold who should walk by LeeAnne.  Totally chance and fortunate encounter!  She wanted to do a few of the memorials so we revisited a couple with her and then we headed back to Becky's.  It's been a hot day and we're ready for a little down time!

We walked through Constitution Gardens on our way back to the Metro.  There is a section across a bridge on a small island where there are plaques for each of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Who would have known...an past relation of our own John Wolcott???  Onto the Metro and then catch the bus at the bottom of the hill (after a quick ice cream stop at McDonalds) and up to Becky's.  

Ethiopian for dinner tonight...great restaurant!

and magic fingers for Becky!

Great Day!!