March 17, 2008 Remembrance and Memorials in Washington D.C.
Remembrance and Memorials in Washington D.C.
By: Vickie Dodson
Washington D.C. is a city of law-making and negotiating, but it is also a city of remembrance and honor. There are several memorials and monuments located in the city. All of these memorials honor and remember an individual, a group, or the country as a whole for their acts of service. In total, eight memorials and monuments make up the historic park.
All memorials are located in the West Potomac Park, which borders the Potomac River. The park is at the western end of the National Mall. Visitors can walk from memorial to memorial year round but are warned to dress for the season, as the park is open and has little or no opportunity for protection from the elements. Visitors to the memorials can also take the Tour-mobile, which travels to and from all of the sites in the park throughout the day. Many visitors choose to visit the sites in the daytime but many also argue that the best time to see the monuments is at night, when they are fully illuminated. If travelers have a limited time schedule, they can choose which ever time best fits into their schedule, but it is also recommended that tourists take the time to see the park in the day as well as at night.
The Washington Monument, of course named for the country’s first president, George Washington, was opened to the public in 1888. The monument is the tallest freestanding work of masonry in the country and is visited by millions every year. The monument is located at the very center of the city and offers spectacular views of every major building in the city. A short ride in an elevator will take visitors directly to the top where they can see the the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian buildings and many other landmarks.
The National World War II Memorial is a new edition to the park, opening only in 2004. The memorial is nestled nicely between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, while also sitting at the east end of the Reflecting Pool. The monument features 56 granite pillars, representing every state and territory, as well as 24 different panels depicting scenes like Pearl Harbor and Rosie the Riveter. The National World War II Memorial is the first national memorial to honor those who served in World War II, veterans of the war, and citizens on the home front.
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most famous and nationally recognized memorials in the park. The chamber of the memorial features several works of art that depict the accomplishments of Lincoln’s life. There are limestone walls engraved with both the Lincoln's second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address. There is the Angel of Truth freeing a slave, as well as a mural showing the unity of the North and South. The most notable and famous piece of art in the memorial, however, is of course the 19-foot-high seated statue of Lincoln.
The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is instantly recognizable by almost everyone and has been said to be one of the most emotionally moving memorials of all time. The memorial is simple, featuring only two black-granite walls in the shape of a "V". Each long wall is inscribed with the names of the men and women who gave their lives or remain missing in the Vietnam War. The names are listed in chronological order, starting with the first death in 1959. The National Park Service continues to add names to the wall if veterans die eventually from injuries sustained during the war years.
Along with these sites, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Korean War Veterans' Memorial, and the George Mason Memorial round out the park.
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