Posted on 11/11/2016 1:47:45 PM PST by Textide
I decided to escape my Blue City, in a Blue County in the Blue State of Maryland to visit occupied DC for Veterans' Day. There were a couple of scheduled events and a nice walk to some points of interest in between.
9am - WWII Memorial: Wreath Laying Ceremony.
10:30am - Visit to Trump Hotel in DC and miniscule protest with press coverage.
10:45am - Walk by the IRS building.
11:30am - Lunch in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and gift shopping.
1pm - Ceremony for Veterans at the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
It was an excellent day for some walking in DC. The temperature was about 55 degrees, sunny and the best people on the planet were out and about: American Veterans. Several ceremonies were planned around the city, but I budgeted about 5 hours and saw two. The two conflicts that my grandfathers, father and several relatives served in.
Approaching the WWII memorial from the South, I heard bagpipes playing Amazing Grace in the calm morning air. Getting closer, I snapped these photos.
The emcee was reading the bio of one of the WWII vets present at the ceremony as he stood, while I took my place along the left flank of the proceedings. Down the line of this gathering of 20 or so WWII veterans the emcee went, each time reading a little bio about each one. "He served in the Pacific and his ship was torpedoed....", went one. "He joined as a rifleman in the 5th Infantry and fought at the Battle of the Bulge..." went another. Bob Dole needed no introduction to those present. His speech was unfortunately for the most part not audible where I sat due to technical issues and his failing health. Later, when he saluted with his left hand, it reminded me that this was a man who was riddled with bullets during the war. All of these guys were there, very long ago, fighting the good war for us all.
Bob Dole, seated second to the left of the podium.
After the speeches, the whole group either walked or were wheeled over to the wreaths on the other side of the memorial. The bagpipes started playing as these old men, walking scarcely 1 mph, made the procession. It was quite moving to see them there. They've lived all of this time. Both of my grandfathers have since passed. One of them died in the early 1970's before I was born, already an 'old man' then. These men are the last of that generation, and will not be around much longer.
Here they are in front of the Freedom Wall. The wall contains 4048 stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in that war. It speaks to their character that on a day meant to honor the living veterans, that they would spend their time honoring those that didn't make it home. Indeed in Bob Dole's own speech, he ended it with, "Thank you, America."
I walked by the White House, intending to visit Trump's hotel. We were quickly whisked through the White House viewing area since I guess President Kardashian was due to move. No problem, it was just on the way.
Approaching Trump's Hotel, I could hear a lo-fi recording of "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan being played. About 10 morons were holding signs about peace, love and stopping hate. Sam Sweeney with Channel 7 News in DC was dutifully reporting on these idiots as I walked up and snapped a couple of photos. Funny how much press a few people get.
Walking around the side of Trump's Hotel, I got a good shot of the Presidential Ballroom entrance. Here's hoping the FR Inauguration Ball might be held here (hint, hint).
I figured I'd visit the office of our old friends Lois Lerner and John Koskinen. It is literally the next building over from Trump's Hotel. Hopefully it will very soon be the former employer of many, many IRS agents.
Had lunch and did some shopping for neices and nephews in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The crack paleontologists at the Smithsonian have now accomplished the impossible!
Walking back across the White House on the way to the Vietnam Memorial Wall, I took this photo. I count at least four barriers prior to the White House lawn. You used to be able to walk right up to the wrought iron fence. Like everything the government does, this was an overkill solution to the fence jumpers. Why not just make it taller? Or, more entertainingly, put a moat on the other side with pirahna or alligators?
The Vietnam Wall is the most visited memorial in DC. Today there was a ceremony emceed by Retired Major General Barry McCaffrey. He started the ceremony with a simple statement to the vets in attendance, "Welcome Home". Welcome home. After 50+ years for some of them, we are still welcoming these guys home. Never forget that Leftist idiots like those who chose to protest the Presidential election today on Veterans' Day were the ones spitting on these guys as they returned from Vietnam, having done their duty. Even worse, the college-aged protesters then who are now in their mid-60s and 70's were the ones running the country for the last eight years. Thankfully, the one that wore the crusty pantsuit was defeated. May our future veterans never have to face the prospect of such a disastrous leadership ever again.
I bought one last gift for my parents. The last 8 years have been a bit like the effect that Wormtongue had on the King in the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. My mother sounded 20 years younger when I spoke to her on the phone following Election Day. My father, like an excited young man, optimistic about his future. I think they will really appreciate this tote bag that they will receive next week, and grant me 'Favorite Son' status.
nice photos... thanks
Glad you liked them.
I live on the left coast and have never visited D.C.
I'm also a Vietnam vet who wants to visit "The Wall" as part of my bucket list.
Perhaps in the next couple of years I'll get there.
Thanks. It occurred to me today to document it for those like yourself that couldn’t be there. I hope you make it over after Trump takes over. DC is really a nice park.
Thanks for the photo tour.
Eh, not really. 0 and Moochelle are on it.
Combined General and Maryland “Freak State” PING!
They will recoil at first, then laugh for a couple of minutes before tossing it in the fireplace.
You’re welcome. Thought it might be a fun idea to eventually taunt those at the IRS/Justice Dept/White House prior to the Inauguration. Ideas for several signs and chants went through my head walking around today, hehe.
is there going to be a FReeper inaugural ball?
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