Veterans Day In Our Nation’s Capital

Four year ago today, Veterans Day 2005, I found myself in our Nation’s Capital. Washington is beautiful this time of year, even at night. The trip had been planned for some time, but it was not until I arrived that I realized it would coincide with Veterans Day.

My first thought was to avoid the tourist areas, as the Holiday would likely draw large crowds.

My second thought was that visiting the War Memorials in our Nation’s Capital on Veterans Day would likely result in a Veterans Day that I would never forget.

I truly believe my second thought is the correct one.

Around 7:00 pm that evening, my wife Jennifer and I left our hotel room in Bethesda and took the Metro (subway) to the Foggy Bottom – George Washington University stop and walked about 10 blocks south toward the Lincoln Memorial.

We entered the park near the Viet Nam Memorial where we encountered a larger than life statue of three soldiers. Two Viet Nam vets had brought a wreath for their missing friend and were taking turns taking each other’s picture next to it. Jennifer went over, grabbed their camera, and snapped a picture of both of them together. It was a somber moment, but their gratitude showed through.

Next we walked the Wall. It was awe inspiring at night, just faintly lit. There were hundreds of people still walking, stopping, weeping, touching the wall, but it was obvious the crowd was much larger earlier – the Wall was lined from end to end with flowers, notes, magazines, snacks, whatever the visitor thought their lost loved one might be in need of.

Next was the tribute to the Nurses that Served. What struck me most about this statue of nurses in fatigues was the number of notes that friends and family had left there that day.

The Korean War Memorial struck me in my heart and and in my gut. There are 38 statues (representing the 38th parallel) of soldiers walking through a field in full gear on a rainy day. The look of anguish on every face told me this was not a pleasant march. This memorial also had a wall, hundreds of etched faces and a very pleasant fountain area. The primary inscription simply reads “The Price of Freedom is not Free.”

The new World War II Memorial is among the most moving things I have ever seen. Dedicated in 2004, and not in our guidebook, this Memorial is located between the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. It is pure class. The memorial contains 56 pillars (representing each state and US territory) and has the “Pacific” archway on one end and the “Atlantic” archway on the other. There are fountains around the perimeter and more in the center, and numerous inscriptions all around. All on a grand scale.

I am fortunate to live in this country.

I am forever thankful for those who served.

This was indeed the Veterans Day I will never forget.