And out the window to your left...
The tour was wonderful, awe-inspiring, slightly disheartening.
It was wonderful because I'm in the capital city of the world's only remaining superpower. There's something to be said for that. We saw the National Cathedral first this morning. I hadn't realized it was Episcopalian. It was started in 1907, and completed in 1990. And it's still under construction (sort of reminds of me of good old CUC). Dr. Joyner (the LCWS Dean) said that it was comparable to "the cathedral in Paris." Now, there are many, many cathedrals in Paris. I believe the one to which she was referring was Notre Dame, though. And it wasn't. It wasn't even close to being on the same level as Notre Dame (which in turn, is not a beautiful as Sacre Coeur). But it was still a nice church. After the Cathedral were the memorials. The first memorial was that of FDR. I'm not particularly a fan of him. I mean, yes, he did wonderful things and helped inspire our country out of the Depression and into the boom that was post-WWII, but he was a Democrat. He stacked the legislature and judiciary to slide through his resolutions. Now, his wife, Eleanor, was an amazing woman. I stood next to her statue and thought, wow: I hope to be even a quarter of what you were.
It was awe-inspiring because of the sheer depth of sacrifice that was given by our men in the military. We saw the World War II, the Vietnam, and and Korean Memorials. I've seen the latter two before, but the WWII has been built since the last time I was in DC. It was incredible, to see the markers for all of the States, to see the hundreds of stars mirrored in the pool before them, underneath the inscription, "Here marks the price of freedom." I admit to being a little choked up. My grandfather served in WWII. I felt so proud to stand there, at his monument.
It was slightly disheartening because as I looked at the Vietnam Memorial, the Wall, I was struck by the futility of it all. So many names, so many lives, so many deaths. And for what? To help resolve a conflict we had no business entering, a conflict that is still ongoing today? It doesn't make any sense to me. There is a monument to the women who served in Vietnam as well. It's a statue of three women, tending to a wounded soldier. It made me proud of them, even though they were only nurses. They had incredibly hard jobs. Any position that involves triage... I can't even fathom it. The Korean Memorial is amazing as well, with the statues of soldiers who seem to be walking through a field.
After the tour was finished, we came back to River Place and I took a nap. I needed it. And now I'm up. I still haven't heard anything about my internship possibilities yet. But Kellie, the internship coordinator is very optimistic about Century Council, a non-profit organization "dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking." (www.centurycouncil.org) I think it would be a fabulous organization in which to work. I should find out by week's end. But in the meantime I'll enjoy my week off.
It was wonderful because I'm in the capital city of the world's only remaining superpower. There's something to be said for that. We saw the National Cathedral first this morning. I hadn't realized it was Episcopalian. It was started in 1907, and completed in 1990. And it's still under construction (sort of reminds of me of good old CUC). Dr. Joyner (the LCWS Dean) said that it was comparable to "the cathedral in Paris." Now, there are many, many cathedrals in Paris. I believe the one to which she was referring was Notre Dame, though. And it wasn't. It wasn't even close to being on the same level as Notre Dame (which in turn, is not a beautiful as Sacre Coeur). But it was still a nice church. After the Cathedral were the memorials. The first memorial was that of FDR. I'm not particularly a fan of him. I mean, yes, he did wonderful things and helped inspire our country out of the Depression and into the boom that was post-WWII, but he was a Democrat. He stacked the legislature and judiciary to slide through his resolutions. Now, his wife, Eleanor, was an amazing woman. I stood next to her statue and thought, wow: I hope to be even a quarter of what you were.
It was awe-inspiring because of the sheer depth of sacrifice that was given by our men in the military. We saw the World War II, the Vietnam, and and Korean Memorials. I've seen the latter two before, but the WWII has been built since the last time I was in DC. It was incredible, to see the markers for all of the States, to see the hundreds of stars mirrored in the pool before them, underneath the inscription, "Here marks the price of freedom." I admit to being a little choked up. My grandfather served in WWII. I felt so proud to stand there, at his monument.
It was slightly disheartening because as I looked at the Vietnam Memorial, the Wall, I was struck by the futility of it all. So many names, so many lives, so many deaths. And for what? To help resolve a conflict we had no business entering, a conflict that is still ongoing today? It doesn't make any sense to me. There is a monument to the women who served in Vietnam as well. It's a statue of three women, tending to a wounded soldier. It made me proud of them, even though they were only nurses. They had incredibly hard jobs. Any position that involves triage... I can't even fathom it. The Korean Memorial is amazing as well, with the statues of soldiers who seem to be walking through a field.
After the tour was finished, we came back to River Place and I took a nap. I needed it. And now I'm up. I still haven't heard anything about my internship possibilities yet. But Kellie, the internship coordinator is very optimistic about Century Council, a non-profit organization "dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking." (www.centurycouncil.org) I think it would be a fabulous organization in which to work. I should find out by week's end. But in the meantime I'll enjoy my week off.
posted by Kat @ 20:10
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