HISTORICAL MEMORIALS IN D.C.
I recently spent some time in Washington with my son Erik and was able to work in a little photography. I chose to shoot pictures of government memorials, especially those connected to our history and wars. This telephoto cover shot focuses on the base of the Washington Monument, with the Capitol in the background (although appearing to be right alongside).
Here’s the majestic Lincoln Memorial in which Abe sits enthroned, celebrating the successful conclusion of the Civil War.
On a summer Sunday, the Lincoln Memorial attracts many visitors –
human and also canine.
More of the same, close-up.
Out in front of the Lincoln Memorial, I spotted a neat juxtaposition –
a couple of Vietnam vets being impelled in wheelchairs, while the
younger group travels by Segway.
With the melodies of this jazzman filling the air, many people stroll along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument.
Here’s the Washington Monument-times-two.
The base of the Washington Monument once again, plus some
long-distance shots of the White House and the Jefferson Memorial.
The U.S. Capitol – long may it stand (and with no further incursions).
That’s Daniel Webster top left, and General Winfield Scott Hancock on horseback who is surrounded by temporary tent lodgings.
These views of Arlington Cemetery were taken from a road outside
its perimeter.
The mammoth Smithsonian Museum, originally established in the
mid-19th century, occupies a number of buildings in D.C.
The newest of war memorials, still under construction, honors our participation in World War I.
Renderings from the World War I Memorial.
Close-up of a World War I Memorial exhibit.
The famous flag-raising on Iwo Jima – a salute to our World War II warriors.
Close-ups of the men in the Iwo Jima statue.
A relatively recent memorial is dedicated to Dwight Eisenhower, the famed general of World War II, and later a U.S. two-term president of the U.S. (That’s Ike as a boy in the upper left.)
One of D.C.’s most moving exhibits is dedicated to the veterans of the Korean War (which I missed being drafted to serve in by a couple of years). The chilly and frightening atmosphere around the Chosin Reservoir is memorialized here by life-size replicas of a platoon of
American troops.
The Korean War Memorial (continued).
The Korean War Memorial (continued).
The Korean War Memorial (continued).
Some close-ups of our Korean War troops.
Now moving over to the Vietnam War Memorial.
This is the evocative statue at the entrance to the Vietnam War Memorial.