The Vietnam War Memorial in DC reminds the nation of the price of freedom

Washington, DC is a city of memorials and museums but none seem to impact citizens of the nation as deeply as the Vietnam War Memorial.  The memorial's star player is that of the Wall that memorializes the 58,000 lives lost in the conflict in Vietnam.  What many people do not realize is that the Wall is not the only part of the memorial to fallen soldiers of Vietnam.  To the south of the wall lie two statue memorials known as the Three Servicemen and the Vietnam Women's memorial.

I had been to Washington, D.C. many times before I took the time to visit the Vietnam memorials.  When I finally did, it was when I brought my father out here to see this beautiful area in which I dreamed of living.  I knew that the history here and respect paid to the past would be of great interest to him so I brought him for his birthday.  As it turned out, I hadn't realized until the week before we left Oregon that our visit would coincide with Veteran's Day.  What a treat!  Especially considering that my Father is a Vietnam veteran.

Like many tourists who come to visit the memorial, and specifically the Wall, we had a name we were looking for among the thousands of names etched into the granite.  I couldn't help it when the lump in my throat formed as I watched my Father's fingers skim the stone as he searched for the name.  I couldn't imagine the thoughts and images of memories that must have been running through his mind as he hunted for the name of his friend and fellow soldier but we silently bonded as I saw the tears begin to pool in his eyes.  They never dropped down his face and he didn't clear the floodgates of the mounting pressure with a swipe of his hand.  No, he held them in place just as he had held all of the tragedy he had seen as a young man.  My Father isn't a crier.  In fact, up to that point in time I'd only seen him cry once in my life.  I am not as strong as my Father and seeing him in such a state of vulnerability but remaining strong caused me to lose my own composure.

I revisited the Wall the week before Memorial day this year to get photos to write an article on the memorial.  I saw droves of students on field trips and families coming to pay their respects to the fallen.  None of the tourists I watched and captured with my camera impacted me the way my Father had on our visit.  But, then I saw a veteran who had come to find the name of his fallen friend, to give his thanks and to honor him with a memento to show the respect he still held inside for him.  The shy girl in me knew if I passed up the moment to break out of my shell and ask the man if I could photograph him that I would regret it, so I asked.  Thankfully, I was able to stay detached and get the shot I wanted but his actions lingered in my mind and as I walked along the football field length of the wall and came close to the section where my father's friend is honored the tears came rushing back to my eyes as they had three years earlier.  Only this time, I honored my father as well and never let them leave the gates.

Gargoyles and gardens at the Washington National Cathedral

I'm putting a disclaimer out here right away...I'm not a religious person so when I write about churches, monasteries and cathedrals I do respect the religions they represent but my takeaways are more of the architecture, natural beauty and sociological aspects of places defined by a massive subset of our society as "sacred".  I was raised as a young girl going to church and I find that faith can be a great resource to many people but personally, I do not practice any particular religion.

Late last month, I decided to check out the National Cathedral in NW DC since I'd seen this giant structure after coming home from the National Zoo a few weeks earlier.  The sheer size of the building alone commands one's attention but I was captivated by the intricate detail and the architectural beauty of the Cathedral.  I can easily see why it has been designated as our national Place of Prayer.

I'm a planner so I always check the web for information about a location I intend to visit and write up for a piece.  I was surprised at the breadth and depth of the Cathedral's website--there are SO many things to do at the Cathedral that I'll definitely have to take a few trips back just to cover all the activities.

I happened to visit on an overcast day, which wasn't the most flattering for the gothic styled architecture but it was perfect for taking photos in the Bishop's Garden!  As a transplant resident to D.C. I often find myself seeing well-known places like the Cathedral or the Smithsonian as fresh and new when as a writer I know they are not but I think the thing that long-time residents of the area overlook are the details which can make repeat visits to a location an entirely new experience.  I try to put that across in my pieces by providing a lot of links for further information.  I came here from the West Coast and while sure we had a handful of museums and interesting pieces of architecture, the quality of such things in the D.C. area in comparison is astounding!

Either way, Whether you’re religious, an atheist or agnostic, the Washington National Cathedral is a must-see structure in D.C. (read more...)

A secret garden in plain sight

Back in the beginning of April, after I'd returned from a trip to NYC, I decided that I'd join the tourists in D.C. and check out the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin.  Since I was already on the National Mall I figured why not walk around taking pics of the monuments as well.  As I navigated my way to the Tidal Basin area I stumbled upon the National Park Service's Tulip Library.  I'd never heard a word about it in any of my travels to D.C. before I actually lived here.  It's as if it was some secret garden hiding in plain sight that I'd just lucked out to come across.

On the north side of the Tidal Basin sits a small but plentiful garden of tulips. This garden, often never known about until stumbled upon, was first planted by the National Park Service back in 1969. The Tulip Library, as it is referred to by the National Park Service, truly is a secret garden in plain sight because unless one is driving or walking westbound on Independence Avenue SW just before the turn off onto Maine Avenue SW the garden often goes unnoticed.(read more...)

Fallen in love with U street

So this was sort of the subject behind my first article for Examiner.  I'd just spent an entire afternoon in the U Street corridor and LOVED it.  I miss that city vibe where everything is so mixing pot-esque.  There was a little bit of it in Portland, OR but it was still pretty much all white people who were college-educated and had money (read: lived on the west side in the suburbs and came to the "city" to shop) or college-educated and chose to live a minimalist life (read: hipster or hippie).  I always felt so out of place in downtown Portland; like I didn't have enough money in my bank account to belong there.  D.C. may be full of politicians and assumed pretension but oddly enough it's pretty laid-back and the streets downtown...maybe it's because of all the tourists.  I'm pretty glad though that the U Street area has remained an alcove from the tourists and that it has kept so much of the character that was around during the days of jazz despite being gentrified in the past decade.

Many U.S. citizens see Washington, D.C., as merely a hub of politics given that it is the nation's Capitol. As tourist season is upon us, an influx of visitors will flock to the monuments of the National Mall, maybe the spy museum and perhaps make it over to the Smithsonian National Zoo or Aquarium. Unfortunately, many will forget about or may not even know of the histories held in the neighborhoods of D.C. and miss out on places like the U Street Corridor in the Shaw neighborhood. (read more...)

Silent

Candid while walking the U Street Corridor.  I think the image speaks for itself on many different levels.

Ben's Bear

This is the colorful bear statue that sits out in the front of Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.

He's seen many remakes over the years and as just a familiar sight of Ben's as the signs bearing the business' name.  Oh and he's portable too, so the staff often has him in various locations throughout the week.  But no matter where they put him, the tourists that visit always opt for a photo with the bear in front of Ben's.

A Chorus

Here on RedBubble.  Finally a little foray into using Photoshop to edit...

Smoldering

On RedBubble here.

Wading into a sea of Yellow

More tulips (I can’t help myself). Also in the Tulip Library near the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Also Early April 2010.

Barking Dogs

Abstract at the elephant exhibit at the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Print available via RedBubble.

Stuck in a Moment...at the Zoo

This adorable little girl kept sticking her head in between two sections of the fence at the elephant exhibit at the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington, DC. I couldn’t help but chuckle aloud at her preoccupation.

Print available, here.

Half Smokes

Ben's Chili Bowl; a local landmark in D.C. since the late '50s and favorite haunt of Bill Cosby when in town.

Picture Show

Abstract view of the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C.  I was headed to Ben's Chili Bowl for a half-smoke today when this particular view of the theatre caught my eye due to the vectors and contrasting colors.

Prints of this abstract available, here.

Remember Our Fallen

These flags stand high at the corner of one of my favorite memorials in Washington--the WWII memorial.  April 2010.

Prints available here.

Playing in the Library

This is absolutely one of my favorite shots from my afternoon in DC on Thursday.  Not only did I stumble upon this "Tulip Library" but this adorable little boy and his family were there as well (though they're out of the frame).

Save the Wall

From "Sollie 17" by Edward and Nancy Kienholz.  One of the many pieces at the Smithsonian's Reynolds Center's "Modern and Contemporary Art" exhibit.  A moving piece, which is described here.  It made me think of my days in a college dorm, though never as dreary a reality as the one depicted by the Keinholz couple.
Smithsonian American Art Museum.  Washington, DC.  January 2010. iPhone photo.