Washington, D.C. – People

Strolling up Pennsylvania Avenue.

Gardener. Arlington National Cemetery

Checking out the shot. Lincoln Memorial.

Reflections.

Dog walkers and joggers. National Mall.

Juggler.

Napping in the sun. National Sculpture Garden.

Where are we going?

Washington, D.C. – Memorials: Martin

Well, between Arlington and the other stops we’d made, I’d had enough of war memorials. Washington D.C. is rife with monuments to our wars. We’ve got to do something about that.

Still, there was one more memorial I had to see. Not technically on the Mall, it’s a little tricky to find if you’re not careful.

Like the Vietnam memorial, this one is simple, with snippets of Dr. King’s speeches and writings surrounding his towering statue. I was deeply moved.

Many stood in the shadow of his presence with much happiness and pride.

School children, living his dream.

This couple took many shots. They wanted it just right.

Big smile.

Indeed.

Washington, D.C. – Memorials, Part II

We left the Lincoln Memorial and veered left to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

When the memorial was first installed, it consisted solely of the wall, and it is this part of the memorial that draws the most people and, in my opinion, has the most emotional impact. From Wikipedia:

The memorial currently consists of three separate parts: the Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which is the best-known part of the memorial.

The Three Soldiers

The Memorial Wall

It isn’t just the names listed that provides the impact, but the reflection of the observers seen in the polished gabbro.

From the beginning people began to take rubbings of names on the wall. So many continue to do so that papers and pencil are now provided.

Another making a rubbing of a name on the wall.

Was it his brother? A sister? A cousin? A friend?

To me, this is one of the most moving memorials on the National Mall.

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

I had to shoot these very tight as it was surrounded by the aforementioned middle school kids. Their hot pink shirts are actually reflected in parts of the sculpture. (You can see a wide-angle shot of the memorial at this link – not my photo).

After the Vietnam Memorial, we moved on to the World War II Memorial. As understated as the Vietnam Memorial is, the WWII memorial reflects the size and scope of the war. There are two massive towers on either side, each representing the two theaters of the war (Atlantic and Pacific). Each smaller column with wreath represents each state and U.S. territory and others that sent men and women to war in the name of the United States.

A remembrance of the women at home who marched into the factories. My grandmother was one of them.

Washington, D.C. – Memorials, Part 1

After visiting Arlington on Monday morning, we walked across the Potomac to the National Mall. The Lincoln Memorial is the first monument you encounter.

The view from the bridge. The lone walker gives an idea of the size of the memorial.

It takes a while for your eyes to adjust, but there he is.

The view from the stairs. The Washington Monument is encased in scaffolding in preparation for repairing the damage done during the August 2011 earthquake.

It is the time of year when middle school children are taking their year-end class trips. Their bright t-shirts (and *ahem* enthusiasm) were everywhere.