Washington DC (Part Uno)

We started out the day with breakfast here at the Best Western Pentagon, then took the hotel shuttle to the Pentagon City station. I know how much parking can cost in Boston and didn't want to find out how much more it is here in DC.

The subway ride was uneventful, the cars larger than those we're accustomed to on the T. Since it was outside of rush hour there were seats available and few people standing during the short ride to McPherson station.

Upon exiting we were a little confused about where, exactly, the White House was located. There are signs intended, I suppose, to help visitors find the historic and political landmark, but they are inadequate. The White House visitor center was indicated on one sign to be down the road on our left (which we followed) but at the next intersection the sign was inexplicably moved to the other side telling us the visitor center was now behind us. No markings on the buildings indicated we had passed it, so we just uttered a kind "WTF? Washington, get it together!" and moved on.

As we were walking down, well, I can't remember the names of the roads so I'll draw you a map:



This is the route we took around the city, more or less, as we explored the monuments, memorials and parks.

Now, back to our big first encounter. We were walking alongside the White House (though we didn't know it at the time) we came upon a road block. There were police stopping all vehicle and pedestrian traffic for, to us, no apparent reason.

Being the stellar tourist that I am, I approached the nearest officer an asked him what was going on, hoping the large camera and clueless doe-eyed expression would give me away as a hapless tourist (which it did). He explained that they were awaiting the arrival of a dignitary.

Hmmmm. A dignitary? Not wanting to bother the officer further (and risk being arrested by all the men in suits with the little ear-pieces milling through the crowd (yes, Secret Service, you weren't so secret now were you?) I didn't ask any more questions.

Then the rumbling thunder of half a dozen motorcycles approached as the beginning of the entourage rounded the corner in front of us. The motorcade included a dozen or so executive sedans, limos and was rounded out by a good 5 or 6 black SUV's filled with official looking men or soldiers armed to the teeth. One of the SUV's had sniper type guys with huge rifles.

Meg also noticed one of the SUV occupants aiming a video camera at the crowds. Why, we can only guess. Maybe as security should something happen, you know for documentation should something happen.

Then the doors of the cars opened and a bald man was rushed into a tent covered entrance to the building.

I asked the officer if he knew who it was and he said it was the President of Iraq arriving for a meeting with the President.

Awesome.

From there we, entourageless and anonymous citizens that we are, proceeded to the East Executive entrance of the White House. No, we didn't try to go in, but we did try to peak - it's a no go, there are blacked buildings, partitions, walls and guards. The White Houses way of saying "Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along!".

As we skirted the gardens people began to peer excitedly through the shrubs and gates. Could there be a Presidential appearance on the lawns??



Nope, it was the dog. The First Dog Bo was having his afternoon walk through the gardens (not by the President or any of the First Family).

As we stood, taking pictures of the White House, a lady asked me to take a picture of her and her family. I happily agreed and asked her where she was visiting from.

York, England.

We joked that it was funny that we Americans go to London to gawk at Buckingham Palace and watch the changing of the guard while the British come here to gawk at the White House and all they get is the walking of the dog.



From the White House we made our way down to the memorials and monuments that we wanted to see up close and personal. The evening before we had taken a night time driving tour (for which I forgot my camera!!) of the area and monuments. DC at night is truly amazing and a must do if you visit.

Anyway, we explored the WWII memorial (where we took pictures of each of the pillars with the names of the states we'll be visiting), walked along the reflecting pool (can I just say disgusting! The water was a cloudy green and smelled AWFUL! I can't imagine how Forest Gump and Jenny waded through that muck), visited the Korean Memorial, Lincoln Monument and Vietnam Memorial. Very touching and not just a little sad to read the statistics of the lives lost.



I guess that WWI and WWII were so far set from the current generation that, although the loss of life in these wars was tragic and life changing for millions, the attitude surrounding these memorials was less reflective and more "Oh, cool fountain and design!". More jovial and touristy I guess. Most had grandparents or great-grandparents that served, but how well does one relate to something relegated to black and white movies or history books? Nazi's are villains in Indiana Jones movies for many of the kids walking along who have no real idea of what happened at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. There was a celebratory feel for the victory that was earned but no reverence for those that earned it.



In marked contrast, the feel at the Korean and Vietnam memorial was much, much more somber. People didn't really speak except in hushed tones. Many, I'm sure, having personally lost someone to these conflicts. Many, I'm sure, having personal memories of what it was like to serve overseas during these wars (or police actions, whatever, war is war).



As we walked along the Vietnam Memorial a Vietnam Veteran, an older man with a pronounced limp and curved spine, offered information and assistance to any that needed it. He wasn't a paid member of the parks service, just a Vet doing his best to help us remember those that were lost, many of whom were his friends. He walked end to end offering up his service to any who needed it.

In my head I compared him to the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery just a few miles from where we stood. That guard marches 21 steps, pauses for 21 seconds before marching 21 steps back, pausing for 21 seconds and doing it all over again, non stop. That guard is there as a tour of duty, of honor, to guard the missing and unknowns lost in battle. This veteran, this man, was doing the same but not for the missing and unknown, but for friends, family and loved ones of his, of mine and of yours.



After we had walked the length of the memorial we found a park bench in the shade to rest, reflect and regroup for the remainder of our tour. It is important, I think, to see these memorials not as a reminder of the conflict itself, but as a reminder of those that have died to keep our freedoms alive. It is sad that so many young Americans had to bleed for freedom, but as the inscription along the Korean memorial says:

Freedom Is Not Free

This statement has never been as real as it was standing amongst the seemingly endless list of names and statistics remembering those that paid the price for our freedom and for the pursuit of freedom abroad. Seeing the engraving on that black marble also made me very grateful that the names Caywood and Longbrake are not among them.