Memorial Day in Washington, DC. (long post)

[traunerk]

My family gathered in Washington DC over the Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my parents. There were many great photographic opportunities, including some of the sights as well as the memorials.

While there are many more at http://kt.smugmug.com/gallery/565113 (and I'm still processing!), here are a few you might enjoy.

First, if you haven't been on the DC Metro (subway), it's a great ride and a great subject...

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552482-M.jpg

Then there are the classic tourist sights...

The Washington Monument
http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552498-M.jpg

The Dome of the Capitol Building
http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552460-M.jpg

And of course, if you are fortunate enough to get the tour of the capitol building, you can see many beautiful picture opportunities...

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552465-M.jpg

and the detail from above...
http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552467-M.jpg

Then there is the famous Lincoln Memorial, viewed from across the reflecting pond (which borders the new World War II Memorial) - and if you are curious, no tax dollars were used in building these memorials (or so the tour guide says....)
http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552446-M.jpg

And some detail from inside the Lincoln Memorial....
http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552443-M.jpg

And the entire text from the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history which followed one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552444-L.jpg


We also visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum - the most popular museum in the world by admissions....and where you can see space capsules, a plane owned by Amelia Earhart, and the Wright Brothers flyer...

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552486-M.jpg

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552494-M.jpg


And being Memorial Day, we also paid our respects at the Vietnam Memorial.

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552456-M.jpg

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552457-L.jpg

http://kt.smugmug.com/photos/23552454-L.jpg

As I said, there are many more, including a couple of birds for Harry which I will post as soon as I get around to processing them.

I hope you enjoyed this brief travelogue and that you had a chance to reflect on Memorial Day just how many have sacrificed so much to keep us a free nation. We owe them all a large debt.

Regards to all....Keith

[Phil U.]

Cool stuff. Looks like you had a good time with the family and a good time shooting. Several of my favorite shots in my collection were done in DC.

Thanks for sharing!

[Rufio220]

I like water one the most but they all are eye catchers.:thumb :thumb :thumb

[DavidTO]

no tax dollars were used in building these memorials (or so the tour guide says....)


Yeah, they save our tax dollars for the administration's PR budget.

Great shots. I love DC, and all there is to see there. Thanks for the chance to visit it again...