Roosevelt Memorial

This memorial is dedicated to the 32nd president of the United States.

This memorial took you through all four of his terms as president, had multiple waterfalls, and many quotes by him.

Me (I am not a big fan of FDR, but I love waterfalls and it was such a beautiful spot)

Daddy and me

A couple of the quotes by him:
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."

posted by Sarah

George Mason Memorial

George Mason is said to be the forgotten founding father and is credited with writing our first Bill of Rights. He lived from 1725-1792. He was one of the three men who refused to sign the Declaration of Independence, which is interesting since he wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights that strongly influenced the writers of the Declaration. George Washington considered him a mentor and Thomas Jefferson described him as "the wisest man of his generation."

For being such an influential man in our history, his memorial is very simple - just him sitting on a bench with books by Locke, Cicero and Rousseau behind a small pool with flowers around it.

Daddy and me

"I recommend it to my sons.... never to let the motives of private interest or ambition to induce them to betray, nor the terrors of poverty and disgrace or the fear of danger or of death deter them from asserting the liberty of their country, and endeavoring to transmit to their posterity those sacred rights to which themselves were born." George Mason, March 1773

"All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent natural rights... among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." George Mason, May 1776

posted by Sarah

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is another impressive memorial in honor of one of our nation's leaders.

 

Part of the Gettysburg Address

Here are some quotes by him about the Civil War:
"My enemies pretend that I am now carrying on the war for the sole purpose of abolition. So long as I am president, it shall be carried on for the sole purpose of restoring the Union." Interview with Alexander Randall, Washington DC, August 19, 1864
"I would save the Union....My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without saving any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving other alone I would also do that." Letter to Horace Greeley, August 22, 1862

Interestingly, we are taught the Civil War was about freeing the slaves, not keeping states in the Union (even though they had the right to leave). I think he makes it pretty clear what his intention with the Civil War was.

The memorial is also lit up nicely at night.

A few quotes by Abraham Lincoln:
"Many folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."

posted by Sarah

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a beautiful memorial to one of our founding fathers and first president, George Washington. It stands 555' high. Unfortunately, we were not able to go inside of it because it was closed for renovations.

Daddy and me

Daddy

This one was one of my favorite scenes from DC

They light it up so prettily at night

A few quotes from George Washington:
"If freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep tot he slaughter."
"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."
"A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."
"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

posted by Sarah

Arlington Cemetery

I just returned from an incredible trip to our nation's capitol, Washington DC, with my father. I had the opportunity to visit many memorials, museums and other sights while I was there.
Our first stop was Arlington Cemetery.

It was very humbling to see the great sacrifice made by so many for freedom. Row after row of simple white head stones made me want to weep. These men and women gave everything for the things we enjoy today and so many just take it for granted.

We had the honor of being able to watch the changing of the guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It sent chills up my spine watching them.
According to the Museum: "Initially, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was unguarded. In 1925, a civilian watchman was assigned to protect it. Congress established a military guard to secure the Tomb in 1926, but only during normal cemetery hours. Since 1937, the U.S. Army has maintained a 24-hour guard over the Tomb. Sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard," assumed these duties in 1948 and have maintained a vigil at the Tomb year-round ever since, regardless of conditions. For example, Tomb Guards remained on duty throughout September 11, 2001 and during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
The Changing of the guard ceremony begins when the Relief Commander appears on the plaza, salutes the Tomb, announces Changing of the Guard, and instructs the spectators to remain silent and standing during the change. After the inspection of the relieving Sentinel, the Relief Commander and the relieving Sentinel meet the retiring Sentinel at the center of the plaza in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Tomb and the retiring Sentinel passes on his orders to his relief who then steps into passion top begin his tour of duty. The Relief Commander and the retired Sentinel march off the plaza, ending the ceremony.
The Sentinel's walk in based on the ritual of the military's highest honor - the 21-gun salute. The Sentinel takes 21 steps, and then pauses for 21 seconds between movements. After executing a facing movement and before walking to the next point, the Sentinel executes "shoulder-arms" to place the rifle on the shoulder farthest from the Tomb. This signifies that the Sentinel stands between the tomb and any possible threat."

The mast of the USS Maine that sunk in Havana Harbor during the Cuban revolt against Spain.

The graves of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline, their unnamed baby daughter, and 2 day old son, Patrick. His brothers, Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, Edward "Ted" Kennedy, and Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., are also buried at Arlington.
Only one other president is buried at Arlington: President William Howard Taft.

Daddy and me at the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater

posted by Sarah