I’m not sure what I was expecting when I made plans to visit Washington D.C. with my two granddaughters, but I certainly never expected to be profoundly moved by live statues. “Live statue” is a Buddhist term that refers to statues that have been blessed and at which people have prayed. It means that the statue has acquired “living energy” that can be accessed by viewers. During last week’s visit to Washington I encountered the living history of the United States through many live statues.
Representative DeFazio’s office had arranged a national parks tour, capital tour, and tour of the National Archives for us. The parks tour began with the Washington Monument – an obelisk that provides a 360 degree view of the capital from its top. My granddaughter took the first picture above showing the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Monument on one axis. From the Washington tower we went to the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. Next we proceeded to the World War II Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and finally the four outdoor rooms of the FDR Memorial.
Many persons have spoken about the power of the Viet Nam Memorial and that is true. However, one of the most moving moments of the week was standing in the presence of the Korean War Veterans Memorial – second picture above. The 19 statues sculpted by Frank Gaylord are heroic in scale (7’3”) and made from a reflective material that makes them appear to come to life in bright sunlight. They are reflected in a mural wall that is engraved with 15,000 photographs of the Korean War, making a total of 38 statues, symbolic of the 38th Parallel and the 38 months of the war. Blowing ponchos on the figures convey the feeling of a cold winter wind at the backs of these soldiers. One could not help but feel the loneliness and suffering endured by those who have elected to defend our values.
What is striking about the World War II Memorial is that it salutes the entire American people. It honors not only the 16 million who served in the armed forces and the 400,000 who died, but all who supported the war effort from home. Pillars for each of the states stand in a circle around a reflecting pool – commemorating the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment that made WWII the defining moment of the 20th century. Here one feels the strength that comes from standing together – the fruit of Lincoln’s efforts to save the union.
Since in contemporary times presidential terms of office are limited to two, I have never really thought about the fact that Franklyn Delano Roosevelt served four terms. As we walked through the four stone rooms, each representing one of his terms, I felt just how much influence this one leader had on our nation. Certainly Washington and Jefferson laid the foundation for our free democracy and Lincoln guided us through a Civil War that could have been our undoing. But it was FDR who led us into the global era and shaped our response to global crises – the depression and World War II. Eleanor Roosevelt played a key role in forging the United Nations. These two people ushered us into the world as we know it now.
I was moved, nurtured, and inspired by the energy emanating from these live statues. I appreciate the power and purpose of memorials for the deceased – to pass their creative force on to the living.
Representative DeFazio’s office had arranged a national parks tour, capital tour, and tour of the National Archives for us. The parks tour began with the Washington Monument – an obelisk that provides a 360 degree view of the capital from its top. My granddaughter took the first picture above showing the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Monument on one axis. From the Washington tower we went to the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. Next we proceeded to the World War II Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and finally the four outdoor rooms of the FDR Memorial.
Many persons have spoken about the power of the Viet Nam Memorial and that is true. However, one of the most moving moments of the week was standing in the presence of the Korean War Veterans Memorial – second picture above. The 19 statues sculpted by Frank Gaylord are heroic in scale (7’3”) and made from a reflective material that makes them appear to come to life in bright sunlight. They are reflected in a mural wall that is engraved with 15,000 photographs of the Korean War, making a total of 38 statues, symbolic of the 38th Parallel and the 38 months of the war. Blowing ponchos on the figures convey the feeling of a cold winter wind at the backs of these soldiers. One could not help but feel the loneliness and suffering endured by those who have elected to defend our values.
What is striking about the World War II Memorial is that it salutes the entire American people. It honors not only the 16 million who served in the armed forces and the 400,000 who died, but all who supported the war effort from home. Pillars for each of the states stand in a circle around a reflecting pool – commemorating the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment that made WWII the defining moment of the 20th century. Here one feels the strength that comes from standing together – the fruit of Lincoln’s efforts to save the union.
Since in contemporary times presidential terms of office are limited to two, I have never really thought about the fact that Franklyn Delano Roosevelt served four terms. As we walked through the four stone rooms, each representing one of his terms, I felt just how much influence this one leader had on our nation. Certainly Washington and Jefferson laid the foundation for our free democracy and Lincoln guided us through a Civil War that could have been our undoing. But it was FDR who led us into the global era and shaped our response to global crises – the depression and World War II. Eleanor Roosevelt played a key role in forging the United Nations. These two people ushered us into the world as we know it now.
I was moved, nurtured, and inspired by the energy emanating from these live statues. I appreciate the power and purpose of memorials for the deceased – to pass their creative force on to the living.
