Wednesday 20th May 2009
I was strictly obedient to signs that disallowed phototaking in the pentagon area. But, we were allowed to take pictures in the memorial area below.
The memorial was abstract and it was interesting to just ponder the meaning behind it. Each step that emerges from the ground represents each of the 184 people whose lives were lost when the airplane crashed here. In a way, it looks like a tombstone. Below each tombstone step is an orifice containing running water. The steps are grouped according to birth year and is aligned so that on the left most that year is indicated. The youngest person on board was not even aged 5 if I remember correctly. From Pentagon we took a long walk to Arlington National Cemetery across from the Potomac River.
Tomb of Unknown soldier and change of guard from the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard) which occurs every half an hour. The drills was really kilat (read: precise). That day, during change of guard, I also witnessed the presenting of wreaths by two high schools. What motivates the tomb guards to carry out their duty? Is the symbolic meaning behind the tomb of unknowns so great that it draws so many visitors and warrants such elaborate ceremonies?
Arlington House from the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Grave. An eternal flame and buried together with wife and his brother. The Arlington House is the estate of the family of Robert E. Lee. There's a story behind the house and the family about Virginia secession from the Union to join Confederecy which is beyond my understanding now.
Meanwhile we returned to the spot where the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3rd United States Infantry had set up their big guns as part of a Navy Full Honor Funeral. The Battery also performs 1812 overture with the National Symphony Orchestra on 4th of July every year. Halfway as the canons were fired one by one, there was sounds of a military band playing in the distance.
As the contingents lined up, the funeral parade proceeded in a dignified manner. Again, I was impressed by the drills, in particular the part where the gunshot volleys were fired.
Marine Corps War Memorial more popular known as Iwo Jima Statue which depicts the second flag being raised at Iwo Jima. The history is lost on me. All I know is this statue is tribute to those marines who lost their lives in defence of the country since 1775.
Korean War Veterans Memorial. Dedicated to the Americans who were sent to defend a people they did not know from the Communist North Korea agressors. I overheard a passerby say this. There is a couple of statue troops in the patch of grass behind me and at night the statues are lit so that the reflection appears in the wall in front. Sounds pretty cool eh? too bad I was by then too tired to revisit at night.
FDR Memorial. The longest serving US President. The Memorial is a walk through of the 4 terms that he served battling the Great Depression, the World War and his disability. Depicted above is himself and his beloved terrier Fala.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial sits facing the Beautiful Tidal Basin much like the FDR Memorial. Engraved on walls and below the dome inside the memorial were excerpts from the man.
'I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man' in a letter to Dr Benjamin Rush, 1800
'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' from Declaration of Independence, 1776
'Almighty God hath created the mind free...All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion' from A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, 1777
'Commerce between master and slave is despotism.' from Notes on the State of Virginia, 1784
And there is a larger than life statue of him right below the dome at the centre of the Rotunda.
Walked back to the National Mall to see if any Museums were still open. And then to the Capitol. Above is the Capitol Reflecting pool. As you can see there's an odd goose reflecting by the waters. A duck and her ducklings too. In the background is the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. This civil war general sits facing Lincoln Memorial, in honour of his wartime President. Something unique about Washington DC is the layout of the streets. What I had gathered from the Capitol and LOC tour is that there is a tomb meant for George in the Crypt. And this would be a geographical centre of DC. Alas, he is still buried on Mt Vernon.
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