We had passed it a few times heading back and forth from our van to other destinations (the parking lot is free and vacant most of the time, so we used it to save money), but our last visit on this trip-of-a-lifetime was the Jefferson Memorial. We would actually stop this time. When I had visited in 1996, this memorial was blocked off with scaffolding and tarps. Our tour guide said it was deliberate to prevent people from seeing the references to God inscribed on the walls. I think they were just cleaning it. Either way, it was nice to be able to go inside and look around. The children enjoyed the benches to sit on for a rest. Not only could we explore the outside, but we discovered down below, in the basement, was a museum to Jefferson and a gift shop. Terry and I visited Monticello in 1999, and it was rather expensive. This museum, though not as lavish, gave a nice overview of Jefferson’s life. It had a few artifacts and a tiny gift shop.

I enjoyed photographing the Jefferson Memorial as we approached it. The first few photos are from across the Tidal Basin.

The cherry blossoms were emerging early!

This was interesting to me because the people look so tiny next to the memorial.

I like this bridge across the Tidal Basin.

A view of the dome.

Beautiful and courageous words!

Most of the kids were too tired to want photos. Lauren and Mitchell gladly smiled for me, though. This monument was not nearly as packed out as the Lincoln Memorial. It may have been the time of day which worked in our favor. It was around 4:30 when we made it here.

Mitchell and Jefferson

Another item checked off Lauren’s bucket list!

It was a long but exciting day of sight-seeing. The Lord blessed us with fabulous weather – it was almost 70 degrees on our monument visiting day. The same time the following week would find Gettysburg and D.C. in a massive snow storm. The Lord was most gracious to us.

We left the following day to visit Colonial Williamsburg. I have about 500 photos to cull through for that blog post! I will try not to bore you. The last stop on our adventure was Lexington, Virginia, and the home of Stonewall Jackson.

Thank you for joining me – the end is in sight! 🙂

After seeing the Lincoln Memorial, we visited the nearby Vietnam Memorial before making our way back to the van. On our way, we discovered the memorial to FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt. I had never seen either of these monuments before.

The Vietnam Memorial was a somber place. As a young girl, I saw an interview with Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Memorial, on a program called Reading Rainbow. She described how she chose the material of gabbro because it is like a mirror when dry, but the reflective quality vanishes when wet. The names of the fallen are engraved on the wall and many people take a paper and pencil and make etchings of their loved one’s name. As you look at the wall, you can see a perfect reflection, which joins both past and present.

The statues in this area were very life-like. They were the type of art that made you feel as though you were back in the past, watching history happen. It was a quiet place, where you could give thanks in your heart for the sacrifices and courage of men and women you would never meet.

My family blending in with the brave men and woman who died serving in Vietnam.

This is a monument to the nurses in Vietnam. Can’t you just see their plight? Their hardship, their distress, and then their joy at the hope of help from above? I can see spiritual analogies in this as well. It was a moving experience.

We found our way to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial after leaving the Vietnam Memorial. FDR was the longest-serving President in U.S. history. He was the first President to run for a third term in office…and then a fourth. He died on April 12, 1945, a little over a month into his fourth term (inauguration day used to be March 4). Harry S. Truman completed Roosevelt’s term in office.

During Truman’s administration, Congress passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution, which limits the President to only two terms in office. Roosevelt was known for seeing America through the Great Depression. He did this by starting many welfare programs which are still in effect today, such as Social Security. He also guided America through the majority of World War II. He isn’t one of my favorite Presidents, but I have an admiration and respect for his role in our country’s great history.

Roosevelt suffered from the effects of polio.

This was an impressive statue of Roosevelt – his cape conveniently hid his disability from the public – and their famous dog, Fala. The kids couldn’t resist getting close to the dog!

Eleanor was an active First Lady. Roosevelt would not have accomplished much of what he did without her being his eyes, ears, and, most importantly, his legs. She traveled where he could not, listening to the American people and bringing her reports to him.

Thank you for traveling along with me! Only one more stop left in our D.C. adventure – the Jefferson Memorial.

See you soon.

We made our way down the National Mall from the WWII Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial. I had been able to see this iconic statue when I was 18, but it was just as exciting, if not more so, to see it again only this time, with my husband and five children. It was like stepping into a time-warp, all I needed was a DeLorean nearby. Nothing had changed. Now, I admit that I, in the intervening years, have changed a bit. I have gotten older, for one thing. I was definitely feeling every mile we walked that day. And I’ve come to have a slightly new perspective on the man, Lincoln. But nothing has changed the awe and respect I have for our country, its liberty, and its history. I am thankful for the men we call the Presidents, as I know they are each one ordained of God. I do not elevate them above God, but I am respectful of them nonetheless. All that America has been and is today is by the grace and mercy of Almighty God. As we visited our illustrious nation’s capital, I could not help but give thanks in my heart for this great country I call home.

Here are some photos of our visit to the legendary Lincoln Memorial:

Headed that way…

A few views of Mr. Lincoln. I was happy to get these shots without people in them, as the place was teeming with them.

The Gettysburg Address is carved on one of the walls of the memorial. It had special meaning since we had visited Gettysburg the week before.

A view from beside Mr. Lincoln.

Me and the kids.

Me and Terry, history lovers and also just lovers.  🙂

The Senior!

As we were leaving, I snapped this one of the five kids with the ever-present Washington Memorial in the background. They have changed some even in the few months since we took this photo. I will treasure this memory for many years to come. The Lord is so good to me.

To read past posts about our trip to Gettysburg and DC, click HERE.

Thank you for touring with me!