Washington D.C. USA

Spent 4 days in Washington and stayed at the Woodley Park B&B; great location and just a minute away from the subway. Spent our first evening having dinner at Jaelo's and then participated in a walking tour of the National Mall. It was an informative tour and a great introduction to American history and their Monuments and Memorials. We began at the Washington Monument, walked to the World War ll Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.  Americans are very passionate about their wars, military and being respectful and proud of their service men and women and the pursuit of Liberty!

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is an obelisk built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington. It is the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk, stading 555 feet 5 1/8 inches (169.294M) Construction began in 1848, ws halted due to lack of funds and the American Civil War.  It was completed in 1884.  Fifty flags surround the base of the Washington Monument and symbolize the 50 states of the Union. The Monument was damaged during the Virginia earthquake of August 23, 2011 and was closed to the public while being repaired.

World War ll Memorial

^{The World War ll Memorial was commissioned by President Clinton in 1993 and dedicated by President George W Bush in 2004. The memorial is split into two sides, representing the Atlantic and Pacific theatres.  There are pillars surrounding the entirety of the structure, each with the name of a US state or territory from which a person was involved in the war.  It is a place to visit and pay your respects to World War ll veterans. The memorial attracts more than 4.4 million visitors each year.}

 

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

^{Vietnam  Veterans Memorial is made of two 246’ walls of polished black granite etched with the 58,261 names of the missing or dead.  The wall is set into the earth so that as one walks along it, one gets the sensation of walking into a grave.  One end of the wall points directly to the Lincoln Memorial and the other points directly to the Washington Monument.}

Korean War Veterans Memorial

The figures represent a squad on patrol, drawn from each branch of the armed forces; they are dressed in full combat gear. The soldiers are dispersed among strips of juniper and granite bushes representing the rough terrain they faced. They stand slightly larger than life at 7’3 and are noted for their extremely expressive faces and body language.

A 164’ long mural made of polished black granite runs the length of the memorial and is etched with 2,500 photographic images sandblasted into it depicting soldiers, equipment and people involved in the war. The wall ends with the words, “Freedom is not free”.  It was quite an eerie experience to walk this memorial at nightfall.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is an American national monument built to honour the 16^th President of the United States.   

The spot at the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have A Dream" speech.

The Lincoln Memorial has become the site of some of the Nation’s most important social demonstrations and speeches, including Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963 during the rally at the end of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Night time view of the Lincoln Memorial

Abraham Lincoln, known to Americans as the Great Emancipator and preserver of the Nation during the Civil War.  

The marble statue stands at 19 feet tall, the Southern and Northern interior walls of the memorial are inscribed with the full text of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and 2^nd Inaugural Address.

View of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial