semi-vanity:re:4thjuly vacation on the Mall,Metro and Walter Reed

6.28.07

[InvisibleChurch]

The four of us are going to D.C. for vacation... my son is leaving July 16 for basic to Lackland AFB, Texas and want to take him to DC to see the sights. Regarding the Mall, what are recommended items to bring to watch the fire works? Is there a best place to see the fireworks? Are there bands playing as well? Does it fill up and/or what time should we arrive for a decent seat? Does the Metro run late? We're staying in Crystal City.

Also, we'd like to visit Walter Reed, but I think maybe just to protest the protesters. How does that work? What day and time does it happen? Do people get in trouble doing this?

[InvisibleChurch]

thanks for any input ... God's blessings

[kristinn]

We’re at Walter Reed on Friday nights starting at 7 p.m. You’re welcome to join us.

[kristinn]

As for the 4th. There is a program on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building with an orchestra and singers. The show starts around 8 p.m. and lasts into the fireworks. However, arrive several hours early to get a spot on the grass.

The National Park Service website probably has tips on what's allowable to take though the security checkpoints on the Mall on the 4th.

[kristinn]

Metro's website

[InvisibleChurch]

thank you, thank you, and thank you

[Dick Bachert]

Bad timing on the USAF Basic in July and August at Lackland.

My brother and I did that in 1962.

If things have not changed, he’ll have the delightful experience of doing 2 hours of push-up, straddle hops, sit-ups on a 110 degree asphalt PT pad as the squadron heat flag goes up around 75 minutes into the exercises while a TI screams at him.

We had two guys in our squadron die of heat stroke before they could get them to the base hospital.

But I suppose they now exercise in and air-conditioned gym these days.

Having said that, when I came home from Basic, I was in the best physical condition of my life and hard as a brick.

Wish I could go back and do it all again...

[kristinn]

You’re welcome. Hope you and the family enjoy the visit and that we get to see you at Walter Reed.

[Fairview]

The Mall is incredibly crowded and chaotic on the Fourth. We did it twice and after fainting on an overcrowded Metro train afterward, I swear I'll never do it again. The only time we enjoyed it is when we parked off of the GW Parkway on the opposite side of the river, staked out a place, and picnicked in the grass three or four hours before the show.

Take your son to see the other sights on the Mall the day before the Fourth: to see the great museums, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Supreme Court and Library of Congress, Archives, etc.

[InvisibleChurch]

understood ... thanks for the advice