Today was one of those golden Fall days--except that in the middle of November we should not really be saying Fall any more! In celebration of blue skies, blazing foliage and Veterans Day tomorrow, I climbed on my bike and cycled around some of the war memorials along the Mall in D.C.
One of the most striking in my estimation is the Korean War Memorial, featuring a ghostly band of soldiers on patrol. Depending upon the weather they are sometimes plodding through snow, appearing out of a cold fog or pushing forward through driving rain. Today, they seemed to welcome a bit of warmth.
The soldiers at the Vietnam War Memorial look almost too real and you sometimes wonder whether they have just wandered out of the jungle into a clearing. I walked along the Wall and it remains one of the most powerful images of war even though it is only connected to war by the names of the dead. There were many wreaths, flowers, photos, remembrances and not a few people overcome by tears as they traced a name on paper. Sometimes, a name is all that war leaves behind. Vietnam gave us 58,000 names.
The World War II Memorial is not one of my favorites. For all the stone and fountains, it doesn't tell you very much about the Second World War except that it covered two major theaters and a lot of famous battles. The Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington does a better job of showing the glory and heroism and the sheer hellish slog of getting to the top of any enemy hill.
Even though you can see those soldiers in the distance, it was the golden day that left the greatest impression. Our veterans gave us the freedom to enjoy such days as this. By building memorials and visiting them often we thank and salute them for their great sacrifice. Have a good Veterans Day.
One of the most striking in my estimation is the Korean War Memorial, featuring a ghostly band of soldiers on patrol. Depending upon the weather they are sometimes plodding through snow, appearing out of a cold fog or pushing forward through driving rain. Today, they seemed to welcome a bit of warmth.
The soldiers at the Vietnam War Memorial look almost too real and you sometimes wonder whether they have just wandered out of the jungle into a clearing. I walked along the Wall and it remains one of the most powerful images of war even though it is only connected to war by the names of the dead. There were many wreaths, flowers, photos, remembrances and not a few people overcome by tears as they traced a name on paper. Sometimes, a name is all that war leaves behind. Vietnam gave us 58,000 names.
The World War II Memorial is not one of my favorites. For all the stone and fountains, it doesn't tell you very much about the Second World War except that it covered two major theaters and a lot of famous battles. The Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington does a better job of showing the glory and heroism and the sheer hellish slog of getting to the top of any enemy hill.
Even though you can see those soldiers in the distance, it was the golden day that left the greatest impression. Our veterans gave us the freedom to enjoy such days as this. By building memorials and visiting them often we thank and salute them for their great sacrifice. Have a good Veterans Day.
What a great account of the monuments, Dad. As usual, you include poignant insight in your easy writing. Makes me want to do a round of the monuments myself. Let's go again!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Dad. Great idea to do the monuments on Veterans Day! Lucky the government's open so you can get to them!
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