Another afternoon spent in DC and Arlington
I had a softball tournament this weekend, however my team did not do so well this morning in the playoff portion. We were one-and-done, unexpectedly leaving another afternoon free. Boo. So, with my extra time, I decided to tackle one of my unfinished trips – visiting the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington. I wanted to see the memorial during my last trip to the cemetery, however I ran out of steam before reaching it. That means I’ve been obsessing over ever since. Now, I have the time and I was on a mission!
Washington, DC
Despite my end goal, I still started in DC and walked down. What can I say, I had a lot of time to kill and energy to walk off.
War Memorials
WWII Memorial & Rainbow Pool
Korean War Memorial
I started at the Navy Memorial again, and stopped along the way at the various military memorials between the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, including the local World War I Memorial. I didn’t even know that one was there, I just happened to stumble across it as I wandered down the sideway. The National World War II Memorial is one of my favorites. It’s gorgeous and very fitting. Although, it’s hard to really compare them, since I like all three major national war memorials. All three are highly symbolic and humbling.
The Korean War Veterans’ Memorial, my favorite to photograph, includes nineteen larger than life statues of soldiers on patrol, which combine with the 19 reflected in the mural wall to create a 38 member platoon, representing the 38th Parallel. The individuals represent members of all four US Military branches, as well as various races. The mural, called the ‘wall of faces,’ is a collage of sketched military personnel, ends at the reflection pool. Also included in the memorial is a list of the 22 nations that joined us in the fight. It’s a masterpiece.
Presidential Memorials
FDR Memorial, “Room Three”
Jefferson Memorial
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is huge, but what else would be expected considering the man served as President for twelve years. There’s a lot to cover. The memorial is separated into four “rooms” representing each of his four Presidential terms, with various statues and/or bronze plaques depicting significant events during those years, such as the New Deal and WWII. Several of his quotes are inscribed throughout the memorial. Each room has some type of water fountain or pool. Eleanor is also honored near the back of the memorial.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a little out of the way and I’m not sure of a convenient route to reach it except by hopping on a tour bus. It’s a hike otherwise, as it’s not really close to a Metro Station. But, the walk is worth it, if you’re up to it. From the Lincoln Memorial it’s just around the Tidal Basin, with the FDR and George Mason Memorials scattered the way. Of course, in the spring the walk is lined by the area’s Cherry Blossoms, which could also help.
Arlington, VA
So, over Memorial Bridge and into Virginia.
Arlington National Cemetery
Women in Military Service for America Memorial
Curtis Walk
I didn’t linger around the cemetery too long this trip because I was determined to reach the USMC Memorial, which is on a hill just outside of the cemetery’s northern gate, before I ran out of steam. I really just bee-lined it through part of the cemetery.
Memorials
Iwo Jima Statue
Netherlands Carillon
The United States Marine Corps War Memorial is a large sculpture of Joe Rosenthal’s 1945 Pulitzer Prize winning photo, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. Each figure stands about ten-feet tall. The flag is one of the few official locations authorized to fly the flag 24 hours a day. The base of the memorial is inscribed with two inscriptions, including “Uncommon Valor is a Common Virtue,” as well as all military engagements involving the Marines. It was all I had hoped and definitely worth the extra effort!
The Netherlands Carillon is between the cemetery and the USMC Memorial. It was a gift from the Dutch in appreciation for aid during WWII. The bells at the top of the 40-foot tower play Westminster Chimes on the hour and American patriotic music twice a day.
Today’s Flickr set: area photos
Starting things off in the US Capital
I’ve been stressed at school and decided to take the day off from any and all work. However, with that said, I didn’t waste an entire day, so, I needed an activity. Stress + needed activity = My solution: grab my camera, hop on the Metro and go sightseeing.
A couple of years ago I bought a ‘nice’ point-and-shot camera in hopes to picking up photography as a hobby. Granted it’s not a the best camera, but for my budget, it was on the higher end at the time. Anyway, I took a few trips to Gettysburg and Antietam Battlefields, as well as vacations to Bar Harbor, ME and London, before it faded out of my life. I didn’t necessarily get tired of the activity. I simply didn’t have (or didn’t make) time for it, so my camera has been collecting dust in my closet ever since. Now, I’ve found the time and energy to give it another go.
I’m hoping to make these short day trips a weekly event, but to start I stayed close to home with a walk through DC. Well, I actually started in Arlington Cemetery. I’ve wanted to visit for a while, so I just went. Then, to follow up, I stopped at some popular attractions in DC.
Arlington National Cemetery
Section 6
While at the cemetery, I stopped at a few of the most visited spots within its walls, including the Kennedy bothers’ graves, USS Maine Memorial, and the space shuttle memorials. I also made a small detour to visit the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, which is surrounded by some of the tragedy’s victims.
Tomb Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns
Finally, I parked myself on the steps of the Memorial Amphitheater to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I watched it twice, as well as the added bonus of an Army Wreath Laying Ceremony.
I highly recommend a visit to the cemetery. It’s a very moving place. You’re encouraged to walk through the grounds and pay respects to the nation’s heroes. While I was there they had a wonderful exhibit within the Women in Military Service for American Memorial called Faces of the Fallen. It was made up of artistic portraits of those in the service killed over the past few years created by various artists in a variety of styles.
This morning’s Flickr set: cemetery pics
Washington, DC
The Lone Sailor
A bronze lion within the Law Enforcement Memorial
In DC, I stopped at a couple off the beaten path memorials, including the United States Navy and National Law Enforcement Memorials. Each is near a Metro station, but I walked between the two, which wasn’t too bad. Both memorials are made up of open plazas with symbolic pieces scattered around. Both are ideal to plop down and read, reflect, rest and/or journal, although the Navy Memorial is in a more convenient location (in my opinion).
White House
Lincoln Memorial
The view from the Lincoln Memorial steps
To finish off the day’s walk, I made a quick pass by some of the city’s most recognizable structures. Really, what would a sightseeing trip to DC be without stops at the Washington Monument, White House, Abraham Lincoln Memorial and everything in between?
This afternoon’s Flickr set: city photos
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