My last day in D.C., but no pictures.
I visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Holocaust exhibit was three floors of artifacts and video. The eyewitness accounts and all the artifacts hit you in the face. The exhibit The Power of Nazi Propaganda was also quite powerful as you learned about all the parts of the Nazi propaganda machine. Seeing the video of Hitler's speeches showed how he was so convincing.
I also stopped by the National Gallery of Art to see the Allen Ginsberg photograph exhibit. The photographs with his inscriptions gave more insight into his world. It was really interesting and a great combination of words and art.
To wrap up my night I went to the Gala Theatre in Columbia Heights for a screening of "Call + Response" about modern day slavery. For more information go here.
Showing posts with label sightseeing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sightseeing. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Washington D.C. Day 8
Today I visited Arlington National Cemetery. By far the most moving experience I've had in D.C.
1) Seeing the size of the cemetery was overwhelming and considering the number of American patriots, famous by name or not, buried there brings tears to my eyes.
2) The Tomb of the Unknown: I arrived at the monument at 10 a.m. when it was the changing of the guard. Wow. I had no idea that this ritual was *so* precise and formal. I had to learn more when I got home. I discovered that The Old Guard or the 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment guards the monument 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
From the Army website: "While on duty the sentinel crosses a 63-foot rubber surfaced walkway in exactly 21 steps. He then faces the Tomb for 21 seconds, turns again, and pauses an additional 21 seconds before retracing his steps. The 21 is symbolic of the highest salute according to dignitaries in military and state ceremonies.
"As a gesture against intrusion on their post, the sentinel always bears his weapon away from the Tomb."
3) I also witnessed from a distance the interment of a U.S. Army service person (obviously, not sure if it was a man or a woman). It was also moving to witness the ritual involved here. And when I heard Taps playing, I lost it.
4) The different monuments and memorials:
1) Seeing the size of the cemetery was overwhelming and considering the number of American patriots, famous by name or not, buried there brings tears to my eyes.
2) The Tomb of the Unknown: I arrived at the monument at 10 a.m. when it was the changing of the guard. Wow. I had no idea that this ritual was *so* precise and formal. I had to learn more when I got home. I discovered that The Old Guard or the 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment guards the monument 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
From the Army website: "While on duty the sentinel crosses a 63-foot rubber surfaced walkway in exactly 21 steps. He then faces the Tomb for 21 seconds, turns again, and pauses an additional 21 seconds before retracing his steps. The 21 is symbolic of the highest salute according to dignitaries in military and state ceremonies.
"As a gesture against intrusion on their post, the sentinel always bears his weapon away from the Tomb."
3) I also witnessed from a distance the interment of a U.S. Army service person (obviously, not sure if it was a man or a woman). It was also moving to witness the ritual involved here. And when I heard Taps playing, I lost it.
4) The different monuments and memorials:
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Washington D.C. Day 3
Day 3 was pretty low-key. I went to the National Air & Space Museum at the Smithsonian. I spent more time there than I anticipated. I love air and I love space.
From there I headed north to Columbia Heights to meet up with my friend Justin from Fuller. He's finishing up his internship with Sojourners. He hosted a screening for the upcoming movie "Countdown to Zero." The movie is about moving the world towards nuclear non-proliferation. It's by the same guys who did "An Inconvenient Truth." It was a bit frightening to consider what could happen but it contained information we need in order to work for the elimination of all nuclear weapons.
Some pictures from the day:
From there I headed north to Columbia Heights to meet up with my friend Justin from Fuller. He's finishing up his internship with Sojourners. He hosted a screening for the upcoming movie "Countdown to Zero." The movie is about moving the world towards nuclear non-proliferation. It's by the same guys who did "An Inconvenient Truth." It was a bit frightening to consider what could happen but it contained information we need in order to work for the elimination of all nuclear weapons.
Some pictures from the day:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)