I walked nine hours in Washington, DC...mostly in and around the National Mall. I was struck by several things. I now get that DC is the center of the organization it takes to operate an entire nation. It is even more clear when you walk next to it all.
One of the things I was struck by was the lack of diversity in the capitol of the most diverse country on Earth. I didn't see a lot of grey, black or brown...mostly young white folks. I'm not sure what that means or even if it is significant.
Mostly I was struck by the simple fact that the area in and around the National Mall is all about memories. Lincoln memorial reminds us not so much of Lincoln but of a time in our history when we were two. I watched the young soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier go through his exact paces and a remembrance. I was surrounded by museums holding many artifacts to to help us remember and mark time.
The war memorials were my favorite. My parents generation lived through and often discussed WWII. I could relate to the two theaters. My generation was Vietnam. Our friends and relatives are on the wall. However, the most moving for me was the Korean War Memorial. The statues of the soldiers advancing in a field seemed all too real to me. They each peered in to my heart.
Walking in Washington was worth the nine hours.
One of the things I was struck by was the lack of diversity in the capitol of the most diverse country on Earth. I didn't see a lot of grey, black or brown...mostly young white folks. I'm not sure what that means or even if it is significant.
Mostly I was struck by the simple fact that the area in and around the National Mall is all about memories. Lincoln memorial reminds us not so much of Lincoln but of a time in our history when we were two. I watched the young soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier go through his exact paces and a remembrance. I was surrounded by museums holding many artifacts to to help us remember and mark time.
The war memorials were my favorite. My parents generation lived through and often discussed WWII. I could relate to the two theaters. My generation was Vietnam. Our friends and relatives are on the wall. However, the most moving for me was the Korean War Memorial. The statues of the soldiers advancing in a field seemed all too real to me. They each peered in to my heart.
Walking in Washington was worth the nine hours.
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