October 5th, Barry and I took the nighttime tour of the major National Monuments in DC. This guided tour was offered through Cherry Hill Park which is where we were staying for the week. (GREAT PLACE for RVs!) We were anxious to experience the dramatic effect of the night lighting on the major monuments. And it was a WOW factor! While spectacular at night, some details are more difficult to appreciate, so on October 7th we visited several again during the day. We definitely recommend seeing these major monuments both at night and during the day if you have the time. I am blending the daytime and nighttime visits together in this blog.
The evening tour began with sunset by the National Mall with views of the US Capitol and the Washington Monument.
On the way to the White House
The WHITE HOUSE: SO beautiful at this time of day!
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
The Jefferson Memorial is beautiful. I would love to see it in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom along the paved path bordering the Tidal Basin.
Inside the domed, open-air circular colonnade is the 19 ft tall statue of Thomas Jefferson as he holds the Declaration of Independence. Quotes from Jefferson’s writings are carved into the walls around him. The most famous one is the one from the Declaration of Independence.
It was pretty cool to see the Washington Monument from multiple locations throughout DC. Its presence beautifully pierced the night sky.
It was also beautiful with a wonderful blue sky background mid-morning.
On my way down the steps to then head around the walled off construction area to our bus, I saw a rat scurry along the last step in front of me, hug that construction wall and dart into the walled off area. Naturally, I freaked, momentarily froze, but I had to keep going to get to to the bus in time. As I took a wider arc around the corner, I used my phone as a flashlight to better light the path and hopefully keep any of “Mickey’s” buddies out of my path!
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
This stop was a pleasant surprise. We did not expect such an extensive display. Due to some lights not being on, we knew we had to come back during the day to fully appreciate the details.
President Roosevelt led the country through two of its greatest crises – the Great Depression and World War II. He exponentially expanded the role of the federal government through his New Deal reform program and its legacy. FDR was elected to four consecutive terms which will never happen with another U.S. president since Congress later limited U.S. presidents to serving a maximum of two terms. Various quotes from FDR that are found throughout the memorial experience are apropos for life today. We need to get back to making life good for everyone instead of a me-me-only-me focused society. It takes leaders to live by example.
Quote from Eleanor Roosevelt about her husband’s illness –
From March 1933 to June 1944, Roosevelt addressed the American people via about 30 speeches broadcast via radio. He spoke on a variety of topics from banking to unemployment to fighting fascism in Europe. The millions listening to these speeches found comfort and renewed confidence in them. The speeches became fondly referred to as FDR’s “fireside chats.”
The tumble of rocks below is to represent the breakdown of international order that occurred by 1940.
Eleanor Roosevelt was the first U.S delegate to the United Nations.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR MEMORIAL – another impressive monument! “Out of a Mountain of Despair – A Stone of Hope”
Here we see the “mountain of despair” and the “stone of hope” emerging out from it with Martin Luther King, Jr leading and believing .
Quotes from MLK Jr’s various speeches were engraved on the walls that extended outward from both sides of the “Mountain of Despair”.
KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL – Experiencing this one at night was a bit surreal. While you may miss some details at night, you get an impact that isn’t the same in daylight! I felt like I was there walking with them.
My dad was stationed in Korea with the Army, but luckily was there post fighting. I so appreciated seeing this memorial for the first time at night.
THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL
While everyone is focused on climbing all the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial to see this magnificent statue of Abraham Lincoln up close, they tend to miss the exterior features of the memorial. There are 36 columns surrounding the memorial that represent the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. At the top of the colonnade the ornate decoration includes the names of those 36 states and the dates each entered the Union. Above that is an additional frieze (an attic frieze) that depicts the names of 48 states since there were 48 at the time the memorial was dedicated. After Alaska and Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959, a plaque recognizing them was added to the Memorial Plaza.
Looking at the reflecting pool and being a little off center to the right you can see both the Washington Monument and the US Capitol Building. Standing straight on, the US Capitol is out of sight as it lines up directly behind the Washington Monument. It’s pretty cool how the People’s House (U.S. Capitol), the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial all line perfectly.
The spot at which MLK, Jr stood here in front of the Lincoln Memorial to deliver his “I Have A Dream” speech at The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28,1963.
VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL – As you make the quiet walk down the paved path next to the memorial wall you see name after name of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life fighting during the Vietnam War. It also included those classified as Missing in Action (MIA). MIA status is updated as new information surfaces.
NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL – WOW!
This monument is spectacular. It is unique because it celebrates the collective spirit, sacrifice and commitment of the American people. Everyone was united to help with the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world. It is the first national memorial dedicated to all who served during World War II and in acknowledgment of the commitment and achievement of the entire nation.
There were panels in one wall that begin with families listening to FDR’s “Fireside Chats”, then joining an armed service, serving during the war, the high price many pay when fighting for freedom, and the exciting news that the “War is Over!” and the celebrations and reunions. My dad served during WWII, but was delayed joining his platoon
The memorial honors the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed services during WWII, and the more than 400,000 who died or remain MIA from WWII. The stars seen below represent those American service members. It was overwhelming to see so many stars, but Barry who said of all the stars, it didn’t seem like there was near enough for the 400,000+ who died. He was right. I was stunned when we discovered that EACH star actually represented 100 people!
The National WWII Memorial is situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The Washington monument is the highest structure in DC, and is to remain the tallest. It stands 550 feet and 5-1/8 inches tall. Built to honor our first president, but in 1854 the Washington National Monument Society ran out of money so construction stopped. When the US Government took over twenty-five years later, the marble came from a different quarry. It first appeared to match in color, but time, wind, rain and erosion caused the two different stages of construction to weather differently. The color difference can be seen but tends to be unnoticed by the majority of visitors.
Same-day free tickets are available to go to the top of the Washington Monument. We got up early to be in line by 8-8:15am because at 8:45am the rangers begin handing out the tickets. First come, first served. We wanted as close to 9am as possible so that sun wouldn’t be a major issue, and we could then continue seamlessly with our daytime touring of the additional major monuments. We got it!
On the wall: Quote by Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee on December 26, 1799 in his eulogy for George Washington.
Floor tile designs as we headed to the elevator.
The views from the top of the Washington Monument were amazing!
Views beginning to the west and moving clockwise:
The 70 second elevator ride up was an enhanced experience. A large variety of “tribute” stones line the stairwell inside the monument. An informational display is located at the 490 foot level.
I am so glad we did this. It was the perfect start to our daytime visits to several monuments. We took advantage of the red Circulator bus to head over to the FDR and MLK, Jr Monuments (and back). While waiting for the Circulator an official motorcade came passing through the National Mall area. Would love to know who it was.
Washington, DC really is incredible. There is so much to see and experience here to better appreciate our history as a nation. The incredible sacrifices of so many to ensure our personal freedoms and the protection of the USA and others less powerful. So much is pertinent today!
We ended the day at the West Front Lawn of the US Capitol.
Ulysses S. Grant Monument at the edge of the West Front Lawn.
The monument to President James A. Garfield who was assassinated. The three figures around the base represent Garfield as a teacher, a soldier and a statesman.
It was a bit eerie to be at this side of the Capitol where insurrectionists pushed down barriers, and climbed the walls of the Capitol to cause havoc in efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
We thought we’d stay here for the sunset, but once we sat on the wall, we realized we were beat. So after I researched the nearest subway station to get home, we called it a day before sunset totally arrived.
Thanks for all the history and pictures. Jerry & Belinda.