After driving all night, we spent most of yesterday sightseeing around the nation’s capitol with my brother-in-law and niece, who live in nearby Gaithersburg, MD. It was a perfect Fall day… although I’ve been here a few times, it seems there’s never enough time to see everything.
The WWII Memorial is one of those things I’d never had a chance to see, and it was impressive. Located between the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument, it’s partly an interpretive information center, and partly park — people sat on benches by the pools and fountains eating lunch, reading, or just resting in the pleasant afternoon sun.
The FDR Memorial was another that I had not seen before; my niece snapped a picture of us in front of the waterfall.
One of the things I enjoyed here were several of his sayings carved into the brown granite — like “Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear.” I’m not sure we can be free of want, but I do appreciate the sentiment.
The last new display we took in was the Holocaust Memorial… one that leaves me somewhat at a loss for words. Yes, I know the history. I’ve heard Mira Kimmelman’s talk (once as a student, and once as an adult), and read her book — both of which are deeply moving. But the Holocaust Memorial has a profound effect on people. Almost no one spoke; people wiped tears from their cheeks as they read and listened, and as we left, other groups behaved very much like the four of us: walking away in silence.
Everyone needs to see this memorial, to remember, to understand, to ensure that it never happens again.
DC is one of my favorite cities. The Jefferson memorial is a pearl on the Potomac. The subway makes it pretty easy to get around.
I’m looking forward to a trip there later this month, myself.
I have another monument in my front yard, that is even more impressive than the Chuck A-hole memorial Causeway. We can “Explorer” that later.
Have a great Trip.
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On the Holocaust Memorial. You could make a similar (but less organized and deliberate) memorial to despotism on the part of Iraqi, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, various African, etc. totalitarian regimes. Sadly, there is always some group that needs oppressing for a regime to stay in power. Also, sadly, there will never a memorial to the actions of these despots.
Inhumanity is the mark of totaltarianism.
Someone told me today that it was only fair that North Korea was acquiring nuclear weapons.
I pointed out that anyone (Kim Jung Il) who starves millions of his own people to death does not deserve an opportunity to spread the misery…