More DC pics!

I know you've all been dying for more pics from my DC trip, so here they are! I was surprised when I uploaded these that I'm already at 21% of my total space allowed for my blog! Whoah--apparently I'm filling this up fast!

As usual, I was not savvy enough to upload these in appropriate order, so it's basically backwards, but you get the idea!

This is a beautiful building behind the White House where visiting dignitaries allegedly stay

Random statue of our nation's pasttime where I'm posing with the pitcher (and obviously preparing to throw a fastball)

The Red Cross building, as the symbol indicates :)

Where I took my White House pic from

Not too shabby of a pic through the fence from so far away, eh?

World War II was really a beautiful memorial--Cristy and I are super-sweaty in the 90+ degree heat with HIGH humidity, but at least it doesn't show too much in this pic! We definitely saw many folks that day who were not so subtle with their sweatiness...

These are stars on the wall behind this pool of water and they represent those who lost their lives in WWII. The waterfall at this pool draining sounds like quiet applause which seemed pretty appropriate to mark all their sacrifices

Lots of great quotes all around this memorial, including this memorable Eisenhower D-Day speech excerpt. No pressure guys--just the eyes of the world upon you!

A fitting quote about the impact women had in this war

I know it's silly, but I really thought the drains were pretty!

The view toward the Lincoln memorial--WWII is between Lincoln and Washington, so this plaque says, "Here in the presence of Washington and Lincoln, one the eighteenth century father and the other the nineteenth century preserver of our nation, we honor those twentieth century Americans who took up the struggle during the second world war and made the sacrifices to perpetuate the gift our forefathers entrusted to us: a nation conceived in liberty and justice"

Pearl Harbor

The flagpole had all the uniformed services' emblems, so here I am on the Army side of course :)

Cristy took one of me with every state I've lived in, so starting with the present, here's WA!

Vegas baby! We sure loved the sun there!

Good memories in Vallejo too!

The homeland

(I'm sure some of you are noting the lack of NY--I'm sure we took it, but I'm just not finding it! :) )

Cool emblem on the ground

Center of the monument--everyone is soaking their feet because it's so hot!

There's a Pacific and Atlantic side surrounding the fountain to represent both fronts


Prior to WWII we saw the Korean War Memorial

Here's a reflecting pool near the wall

The figures in the wall were really cool and textured too, but it was also impressive that it was reflective so everyone passing by was on the wall too

Many female figures demonstrating their involvement in this war

At first it's odd to come around the corner and see these statues in the bushes, but it's pretty powerful close up. For me it was kind of eery to see that the statues' boots and ponchos and field gear are all really similar to the stuff I wear now and have worn on field exercises--things haven't changed that much

You all know this guy, right?

Lots of people on the steps of the Lincoln memorial

Statue at the Vietnam Memorial

This is a really neat memorial given the political climate surrounding that war and the very harsh returns those soldiers had... a far cry from the welcomes soldiers in prior conflicts had, so I definitely understand the personal significance this memorial has to many people who lost loved ones or had loved ones or themselves were directly affected by this, but a lady yelled at me for smiling there! I'm proud this memorial exists because I think it represents how despite our differing political viewpoints, we all agree that we should support our soldiers defending our freedom who are just doing what was asked of them. So Cristy took my picture by the wall and I smiled. Reflexively for a picture, and yes, because I think it's a pretty neat thing that we did create a monument for all those soldiers who gave their lives in Vietnam, but a cranky lady passing by was VERY offended and said, "I don't think it's appropriate to SMILE here!" as she rudely passed by.

Here's my offensive smile--how dare I

All around the mall we could see the Washington monument, so sorry there are so many pics of it here!



with the reflecting pool--surprisingly shallow!

Cristy and I

Another nice shot

So now you've seen tons of monuments! I really had a great time and there are more pics to come of the zoo and the museum of medicine. It was really nice to stay with Nathaniel and Cristy and to see all the monuments too--I really have a greater appreciation for our country's history and all the soldiers who lost their lives to protect our freedom. I think I had a deeper connection to that aspect of all these monuments this time around as I get closer to finished with residency and deployment becomes a more real possibility. I'm definitely grateful to be an American and recognize how lucky I am!

In other news, today is our 7 year anniversary! It's gone really fast and it's hard to believe we're at 7 already! I'm so very lucky to have found Bob and to be able to spend every day with my best friend. We've had some great adventures already and they've all been better because we've been together. Thanks for always putting up with me Bob--I love you!

Hope you all have a great week!
~Cathy