Vacation in DC: Day 1

It was a sunny day, forecast to be the hottest of the week, so we decided to do most of the outdoor sightseeing this day. We hit the Smithsonian Castle, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the new WWII Memorial. Here are some photos and my favorite quotes from the sites visited:

Washington Monument

Fun fact: Lack of resources and the Civil War caused the construction of the Washington Monument to be put on hold. Once the war was over, a different type of marble was used, hence the change in color about 150 feet up the structure.

Jefferson Memorial

Jefferson Memorial - Religious FreedomAlmighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens . . . are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion . . . No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.


Lincoln Memorial

…Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure.We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us–that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion–that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials
Vietnam Memorial Korean War Memorial

Freedom is not free.


I really like the creative design of these two memorials. The Vietnam War Memorial I had been to before, but for some reason this time it had a greater effect. When up-close the names seemed infinite and as I ran my hand over each engraving could not but ponder the what stories laid behind each name.

Then there’s the Korean War Memorial, which was actually my favorite from my last visit to DC. I really like the uniqueness of each soldier face and wear, the way they’re each positioned in motion, weighed down by their bulky gear. It really is a neat site. Ryan’s mom later showed us just how much neater it looks at night.

World War II Memorial

They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation.

This memorial is fairly new and wasn’t around last time I was in DC. It really is a pretty sight (even at night). Got me thinking of old WWII stories my Lola would tell me. The memorial did a good job of representing of a “collective story” from its Atlantic to Pacific pillars, state names, and themes of “by land and sea”.

It was a lot of walking but good to see. Sites like these stir something in me…

Later that evening we went out to dinner in Dupont Circle, near our hotel, at a neat place called the Afterwards Cafe–part restaurant, part bar, part bookstore–an epic combination, if you ask me. Afterward we walked around Dupont Circle and later went back to the cafe (avoiding pun here) and picked up some dessert before calling it a night.


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One response to “Vacation in DC: Day 1”

  1. CPrins Avatar
    CPrins

    I love your reflection on the Vietnam War Memorial ! 🙂
    I’m glad you enjoyed how quiet & eerie the Korean War Memorial looks at night…one of my favorites, along with the Lincoln Memorial at night.