When in WASHINGTON, DC last month we took an evening tour of the MONUMENTS and MEMORIALS that was wonderful AND informative. We started outside of our enormous CAPITOL BUILDING.
Next stop was the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL. Who knew that there is historical information downstairs, under the statue of THOMAS JEFFERSON at the MEMORIAL (and also downstairs under ABRAHAM LINCOLN at the LINCOLN MEMORIAL)?!!
Getting "up close and personal" with the THOMAS JEFFERSON statue in the MEMORIAL was heart-stopping for me.
The construction you see on the roof is to make the DOME bright WHITE again!
Next stop on our tour was the MARTIN LUTHER KING MEMORIAL. My first visit there to see an amazing rendition of him emerging from the stone. The bottom portion is "undone" because the artist wanted to brilliantly express that MARTIN LUTHER KING's work was UNFINISHED when he died.
Our next stop was the KOREAN WAR VETS MEMORIAL. Also a FIRST for me. This was my favorite memorial in DC.
The first picture here was taken standing right next to the long wall (on the right) that has VETERANS' FACES etched into it. The wall also reflects the statues of SOLDIERS in the grassy area to the left. VERY POWERFUL.
Then, on to the famous LINCOLN MEMORIAL. Again, there is historical information and displays in the downstairs area, which I never knew existed.
At the top of the steps, before entering the MEMORIAL with ABRAHAM LINCOLN's STATUE, etched into the stone walkway, marks the place where MARTIN LUTHER KING presented to OUR NATION his "I HAVE A DREAM" speech.
The statue of ABRAHAM LINCOLN faces the WASHINGTON MONUMENT, which reflects beautifully in the water stretching out toward it.
In the dark, our next stop was the WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL. I had seen this in the daylight on a previous visit but lit at night, it's exceptionally moving.
There are several computers there that allow you to look up family members who served in WWII. My UNCLE HAL is in there but for some reason, our DAD is not. We have to take the time to make sure he is included in that registry!
Our last stop was to see THE WHITE HOUSE lit up at night. It's just as MAGNIFICENT at night as it is during the day.
Our guide, TUNDE, with ALL WASHINGTON VIEW was terrific. I highly recommend him. He's SMART, JOYFUL, KIND and a TERRIFIC PHOTOGRAPHER too! (allwashingtonview@gmail.com)
And of course, I have to end with two photos of POLICE DOGS who were protecting the area surrounding THE WHITE HOUSE.
On this JULY 4th I remind myself and others how truly BLESSED we are to live in a country where FREEDOM is available to each of us in so many ways. I'm incredibly thankful to those who have fought and for those who continue to fight to keep our country FREE!!
JOAN
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