Appreciating US Veterans

Recognizing our US Veterans who have served this country.

Thank you for preserving and defending our freedoms!

Two great quotes from two great presidents:

Presidents Day: Philadelphia's Washington Monument

In Philly, The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a recognizable building. 

Some know it as the place where Rocky Balboa famously ran up the steps. 

Many of us use it as a landmark to get our bearings around the city. 

Some may recall that directly in front of the Art Museum is a huge fountain;
what most don’t know is that the name of that fountain is the Washington Monument.
“She must be mistaken,” you’re thinking, “That’s the obelisk in Washington, D.C.”
You’d be correct, but in fact, Philadelphia, along with D.C., 
can boast of its own monument to honor our nation’s first president.

Designed by Rudolf Siemering, the majestic fountain was dedicated in 1897. 

The bronze and granite sculpture features General Washington astride his horse. 

An impression of Washington’s face was made and used to replicate his likeness.

The 44' high, 3-tiered monument depicts the man, his times, & his country.
The middle section represents Washington's place in US history:
the period leading up to the Revolutionary War, the victory, and the aftermath.
Two females allegorically represent America.
One is the rallying cry of battle, and the other, 
Liberty as she crushes the chains of oppression from Britain.

Additional sculpted plaques and emblems also depict the time period.

The base of the monument represents Washington's country.
There are four fountains, including statues of Native Americans, representing 
great rivers of the colonial US: the Delaware, Hudson, Potomac, and Mississippi.

(I was disappointed that the fountains were not filled and working at the time.)

Impressive, detailed sculptures of animals native to the US 

are on the sides of each fountain: buffalo, elk, moose, a bear and a bull.

I encourage you to stop by the Washington Monument and see it for yourself.
As is often the case, photos don't do it justice.
A great monument to a great man and US president,
located in the City of Brotherly Love.

Commemorating Veterans Day with Photos from Washington DC's World War II Memorial

With another Veteran's Day upon us, I honor those who have served our country 
with highlights from our visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington DC.

It's situated between the Washington Monument and, on the other 
end of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial.

This depiction of an amphibious landing is one of 

24 bronze bas-relief sculptures lining the entrance to the memorial. 

A 43' pavilion on each end of the plaza represents the Pacific and Atlantic conflicts.

Inside each one is a bronze baldacchino (a ceremonial canopy) 

featuring four American eagles holding a laurel victory wreath.

Fifty-six granite pillars represent each state and territory of the United States.
They're arranged according to the order of entry into the Union.

The pillars are connected at their bases by 

bronze rope sculptures, symbolizing the country's unity.

Each 17' pillar is adorned with a bronze wreath of either oak leaves or wheat.

I appreciated the opportunity for deep contemplation and thoughts of gratitude 

to my father, my father-in-law, uncles, and fathers of friends who served in WWII.

The impressive Freedom Wall features 4,000 gold stars,

each representing 100 American service personnel,

honoring over 400,000 who died or remain missing in WWII.

Freedom isn't free. 

The Rainbow Pool with its beautiful fountains is the centerpiece of the Memorial.

To every US Veteran, we honor and respect what you did for our country.

Please know that your service is appreciated.

National WWII Memorial
17th Street Independence Ave. Southwest
Washington, District of Columbia 20037

Learn more here:
Website
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National Park Service

While we're at it, a shot of the majestic Washington Monument.

Do you have family members who've served in WWII?
I'd love to hear about it in the Comments section below!

Honoring our U.S. Presidents

"It is the duty of all nations 

to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, 

to obey His will, 

to be grateful for His benefits, 

and humbly implore His protection and favor."

—George Washington, 1789

Visiting Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

I've always wanted to see Monticello, the home of
our country's 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson.
How happy I was to make the trip to Virginia for a visit!
A history buff's destination to cross this off the Bucket List.

Monticello is featured on the back of the U.S. nickel.
Tour guides refer to the photo I took above as "the nickel shot."
It is actually not the front of the home, 
where visitors were received in the main entrance hall,
but the rear of the home, most used by family.

My husband and I enjoyed learning about Jefferson

and the architecture of his beloved plantation.
As expected, no photos could be taken inside.

The 2 acre vegetable garden is located on the terraced hillside.

Jefferson was involved in the planting, cultivation and harvesting of over 

330 fruit & vegetable varieties, faithfully recording every detail in his journal.

This is Jefferson's Garden Pavillion, where he came to relax and read in the evenings.

It overlooks a vineyard, an orchard, and plantings of figs and berries.

A picturesque mountain-top view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Here I am beside one of the slave quarters along Mulberry Row,

where slaves labored as skilled blacksmiths, tinsmiths, 

spinners, weavers, nail-makers, and stablemen. 

This chimney is part of the ruins of the original Joiner's Shop, 

where woodworking and furniture making took place.

The decorative iron gate to the Monticello Graveyard,

with its ornamental "TJ" monogram.

Jefferson's obelisk tombstone marks his final resting place.

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Jefferson chose what he wanted to engraved on the obelisk, what he considered 
to be his greatest accomplishments. He died on July 4, 1826, 
exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Check out the Monticello website for more information.

Monticello is located at
931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Charlottesville, Virginia.

Montpelier: James & Dolley Madison’s Virginia Home

Montpelier. 

Virginia home of our nation's 4th president and "Father of the Constitution,"

James Madison and his famously hospitable wife Dolley.

Montpelier is located only 18 miles from Monticello,
home of Thomas Jefferson; the friends visited often.
These men were 2 of the 8 Virginians who became United States Presidents.

Sharing photos with you from our afternoon at Montpelier
as we traveled through the historic state of Virginia.

A bust of Mr. Madison is in the Visitor's Center.

To my dismay, no photos could be taken inside the mansion,

which is very often the case with historical buildings.

Perfectly understandable. (I guess.)

The Madisons' beautiful view. 
The Blue Ridge Mountains were hazy that day, but still visible in the far distance.

On either side of the main house, basement-level rooms 

served as the kitchen and work areas for the slaves.

A photo of the kitchen, with its half-circle window.

(Yes, photos permitted here.)

James Madison's "temple", used in the logo to represent Montpelier, as shown above,

sits just to the north of the mansion. It was under restoration during our visit.

Built on top of a 24 foot deep ice well, it was used as a place for repose and reflection. 

The Madison Family Cemetery

A tall obelisk marks the final resting place of President Madison,

with a much smaller one for his wife Dolley, directly behind.

An engraving on another family member's obelisk that warmed my heart~

You can find great information about James Madison
and Montpelier at the Montpelier website.

Check back for my upcoming post on Monticello!