Although I've been to Washington D.C. a few times over the years, I had never visited the monuments, and I've always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in bloom there. Earlier this month I had an opportunity to spend a sunny April afternoon in our nation's capitol just at the start of cherry blossom season. Only a few early cherry trees were in bloom, but other blooming trees and shrubs put on a magnificent opening act. I'd like to share some images of that beautiful spring day with you. (Click on the photos with captions for more information.)
Air Force Memorial
From a distance, the soaring arcs of the Air Force Memorial pierce the sky. I attended the dedication ceremony with my parents in 2006. My father is a retired Air Force officer. This monument honors him and countless others who have served and sacrificed with this branch of the Armed Forces.
Stark white against the blue sky, the Washington Monument is the world's tallest stone obelisk. Completed in 1884, it was also the tallest building in the world at the time. The Washington Monument was built to honor the first president of the United States, George Washington, and stands opposite the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Stark white against the blue sky, the Washington Monument is the world's tallest stone obelisk. Completed in 1884, it was also the tallest building in the world at the time. The Washington Monument was built to honor the first president of the United States, George Washington, and stands opposite the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Washington Monument
Gorgeous pink magnolia blossoms caused many visitors, including myself, to stop and take photographs. The fist sized flowers of pink and white were absolutely breath taking.
Surrounding the George Mason Memorial were brilliant yellow forsythia bushes. Dedicated in 2002, this less familiar spot honors George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States who penned the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776. This state declaration became the basis for the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which guarantee specific personal freedoms to the people, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms. I was so enthralled with the beauty surrounding the memorial, that I neglected to actually enter it!
The imposing dome of the Jefferson Memorial beckoned me to come inside. Dedicated in 1943, this memorial honors Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. Inside is an imposing 19 foot bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson. Quotes from the Declaration and his other writings are carved into the surrounding walls.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The quote above was written in a letter to George Washington by Thomas Jefferson in 1786. It gave me pause to ponder the gift and Giver of true liberty. The truths that were once held so dear by the founders of our country must not be taken for granted. Indeed, I do tremble for my country.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs for three weeks each spring. This year the peak bloom time was April 11 - 14. As I mentioned earlier, my visit was a few days before the peak, but there were cherry trees blooming along the Potomac River. Over 3,000 trees were gifted to the United States in 1912 from the mayor of Tokyo, Japan as a sign of peace and friendship between our countries. The beauty of the cherry trees in bloom is almost magical as the delicate pink and white blossoms adorn the trees for several days before they scatter in the spring breezes, and the petals fall like snow to the ground.
The Lincoln Memorial opened in 1922 and is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. White stone columns surround the interior of the memorial which holds a 19 foot stone statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln. The columns represent the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln's assassination. The names of these states are engraved across the top of the memorial. I had to take a photo of the name of my home state, Florida.
The Lincoln Memorial
 Florida, the state where I live |  |
After visiting these memorable sites in our nation's capitol, I was reminded again of our country's past struggles and the leaders who helped shape our great nation. I pray that the Author and Giver of true liberty would again raise up men and women who would serve and lead the United States as one nation under God.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Debbie
~Debbie
