2014-12: Washington, DC
Note: In 2014, we made a counterclockwise trip around the US. Due to some errors on the part of our illustrious co-writer/editor (Marilyn), the posts needed revamping. Looking back from 2026, it seems a good time to send out our time in Washington, DC, as a new post. One wonders how much our current representatives know about our Nation's Capital. It is a place very citizen should visit to try to understand who we are.
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We'd spent a few days with Doug's son, Andrew, and girlfriend, Devon, in Quantico, Virginia. Andrew is stationed there with Marine Squadron HMX-1, which guards the presidential helicopters. On our last day with them, we said our goodbyes, then were off in the MRV to Washington, DC.
Parked on the Mall in Washington, DC.
To our amazement, we were able to park on the Mall between the White House and the Washington Monument. Looking up at the monument, Marilyn recalled her visit to our nation's capital with her family when she was 10 and getting to pull the lever on the elevator to zoom up to the observation deck.
Our first stop was the World War II Memorial, something of significance because of our many family members who served.
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Aerial view of World War II Memorial (Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress. NPS.gov).
Marilyn’s dad served in the Army in the Atlantic Theater, in North Africa, Italy, & Germany. Doug's uncle also served with the Army in North Africa. His dad served with the Coast Guard, which is brought into Navy in time of war, on the West Coast.
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Marilyn's mom served in the Women's Army Corps (WACs) in Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, & Oklahoma.
"Here we mark the price of Freedom." Each of the 4,048 stars on the Freedom Wall represents 100 American service personnel, a total of 405,399, who died in or remained missing after World War II.
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Looking from World War II Memorial to Lincoln Memorial.
From the World War II Memorial, we walked to the Lincoln Memorial.
"In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."
From Lincoln Memorial: Reflecting Pool, WWII Memorial, Washington Monument.
From Washington Monument observation deck : WWII Memorial, Reflecting Pool, Lincoln Memorial (Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress. NPS.gov).
Aerial view of Vietnam Veterans Memorial (designed by Maya Lin).
Doug visiting some friends at the Vietnam Wall.
The Vietnam Wall descends into the earth as its granite walls rise.
The East Wall, in line with the Lincoln Memorial, moves inward from 1959 to 1968. The West Wall, in line with the Washington Monument, moves inward from 1968 to 1975. Those lost at the beginning of US involvement in the war are next to those lost at the end, 16 years later.
Washington Monument from the Vietnam Wall.
When it was dedicated in 1982, the Vietnam Wall was inscribed with 57,939 names, among them 8 women. That number has grown to over 58,395 (as of Jan 2026).
The Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated in 1993. It honors the over 265,000 women, military & civilian, who served worldwide during the Vietnam War.
Over 10,000 women served in-country during the Vietnam War, the vast majority as nurses, but also as doctors, air traffic controllers, in intelligence, and in administration. There were as well women correspondents and volunteers with humanitarian organizations.
From the Vietnam Memorials, we turned to the Korean War Memorial.
Marilyn found the Korean War Veterans Memorial haunting, as if the soldiers were alive & leery of all who passed by.
Searching, looking, wary.
The life-size figures in the field are reflected in the granite wall, into which are etched faces of military & support personnel.
Searching, wary, cold, wet.
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The wall of remembrance was later added to the memorial, honoring the nearly 44,000 Americans and South Koreans,killed, missing, and wounded in the "Forgotten War." Inscribed on the wall: "Freedom Is Not Free."
Our next stop was the 2011 Martin Luther King Jr Memorial on the Tidal Basin.
King looks across the Tidal Basin to Lincoln.
"Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope."
Continuing around the Tidal Basin, we came to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
The FDR Memorial consists of 5 rooms that one walks through.
In the Prologue room is a statue of FDR in a wheelchair. He contracted polio at the age of 39.
Each of the other 4 rooms represents a term of FDR's presidency, with his words inscribed on the walls.
We continued around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial.
Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson Memorial to Washington Monument.
We visited Doug's uncle's grave in Arlington Cemtery.
Doug's Uncle Jack was his mom’s younger brother. He served as a tank commander under General Patton, and had two tanks blown out from under him. He was Doug's hero growing up, a quiet man who always had time for others.
Military Women's Memorial.
Our last stop was the Military Women's Memorial (originally the Women in Military Service for America Memorial) a conversion of the original entry to Arlington. Marilyn would have been happier had the fountains been running, making it look a bit grander, but we were impressed nonetheless with the displays in the glass-roofed interior.
Marilyn's mom was a charter member of the Memorial. We located her record of service with the Women's Army Corps (WAC) from May 1942 to June 1945.
A line of pavers runs from the Lincoln Memorial along the bridge over the Potomac River, through the Military Women's Memorial, to Arlington House (Lee's residence) symbolizing the union of the nation after the Civil War.
American Armed Forces Memorial, part of Avenue of Heroes along Memorial Ave. Dedicated to all Armored Forces: tanks, infantry, field artillery, engineers, tank destroyer units, support units.
Insignia on American Armed Forces Memorial. Marilyn's dad was a Captain in the Army 1st Armored Division, known as "Big Red 1" & "Old Ironsides," June 1941 to December 1945.
1) World War II Memorial. 2) Lincoln Memorial. 3) Vietnam Wall. 4) Vietnam Women's Memorial. 5) Korean War Memorial. 6) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. 7) Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. 8) Jefferson Memorial. 9) Washington Monument. 10) Arlington Cemetery. 11) Military Women's Memorial. 12) Reflecting Pool. 13) United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 14) Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 15) National Gallery of Art. 16) Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. 17) US Capitol Building. 18) Library of Congress. 19) US Supreme Court. 20) National Portrait Galllery. 21) White House.* * *
Finally it was time to call it a day, so back to the MRV with a new destination: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
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Should you wish to read more about our 2014 trip, here are links to the posts:
7) Folly
9) Hooptedoodle
10) Williamsburg, VA
11) Quantico, VA
12) Washington, DC
13) Gettysburg, PA
16) Friends & Family
18) Father's Day in Montana
19) Sweating in Seattle
20) A Special Thanks to All Who Were There
Wonderful photos. Monuments to our heroes. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. And you are welcome.
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