Day 1 - "Memorial Day"

No, today was not that special day in may, but today would still be fittingly called "Memorial Day" for the people on the Close-up trip. Today, we visited the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt, World War II, Vietnam War, Abraham Lincoln, and Korean War Memorials throughout the day (we also visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, but that's beside the point). One of the greatest things that stick out at these memorials is all of their symbolism, imagery, and quotes. They really reflect the way these people lived or how the war is viewed. For Thomas Jefferson, it appeared that everything was drived by a passion to live for God and his belief in limited government. It was Jefferson who first instituted the idea of "seperation of church and state," but he constantly explains his belief that freedom and liberty are gifts from God. Franklin Roosevelt's Memorial (which was probably my favorite) was loaded with symbolism. President FDR had many famous quotes, and these were emblazed upon stones all around his memorial. There were also waterfalls in the background and images of scenes of the Great Depression. The one thing that struck me the most was where this famous quote was posted "I have seen war...I hate war." Many large stones were strewed about the memorial and on them were the words (as if broken apart) I-Hate-War. It was fantastic symbolism to the destruction caused by war and how ironic it was the Roosevelt led us through World War II. We also got to see the spot where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. It worked out that a park ranger played his speech while we were there so we heard him speaking and could imagine ourselves delivering it before a large crowd. This, of course, was in front of the Lincoln Memorial, which is loaded with symbols and quotes that picture Lincoln as the Savior of the Union and the Great Emancipator. There was a great contrast between the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials. While Vietnam was incredibly solemn and all about struggles, Korea was about oneness and unity. It had a "wall" like Vietnam's except that people's faces were etched into the wall so your reflection joined them. Finally, the World War II Memorial was gave an even different feel. It had the idea of victory etched all over it, and it felt as if you were walking through a victory ceremony. Got another workshop tonight and then a debate between a liberal and a conservative. This could be interesting.