In the United States, Memorial Day weekend typically marks the unofficial start of summer. Families gather, barbecues abound, and- if you follow old wives’ tales – white is once again acceptable to wear (a rule I continue to break, year after year. I mean, there’s literally a shade of fabric called Winter White. What choice do I have?). For kids, it also signifies the end of the school year, or the countdown to the end, depending on what state they live in. In New York, we’d typically have a month left before saying goodbye to our students for the summer break.
In between the lawn games and anticipation of summer merriment, it’s easy to lose sight of what Memorial Day is really about. The idea to commemorate fallen American soldiers began in 1868, in the wake of the Civil War. Originally celebrated on May 30th, “Decoration Day”- as it used to be known- started as a way to remember soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War. It did not become a federal holiday until 1971. By that point, it had been moved to the last Monday in May and had become known as “Memorial Day”. It also became more inclusive- it no longer just commemorated Civil War soldiers, but all American military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their country.
One of the best places to honor the true meaning of Memorial Day is America’s capital, Washington, D.C. In a way, every day is Memorial Day in D.C. Visit any of the monuments dedicated to America’s military past and it’s easy to see why.
Lincoln Memorial (Memorial Dedicated 1922): I know that this is not a memorial to a war, per se. However, consider it this way: Abraham Lincoln is certainly a casualty of the American Civil War- really, the final death of the war. His assassination related directly to fear over the war’s ending. Further, inscribed on one of the walls of the Lincoln Memorial is the Gettysburg Address, which Lincoln wrote in dedication to the soldiers killed at the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. My favorite line of any presidential speech is in this address: “the world will little note nor long remember what was said here, but it can never forget what they did here.” Lincoln’s humbleness, as well as his genuine honor for the fallen is the perfect representation of a man who dedicated- and ultimately gave- his life to bringing the country back together.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Memorial Dedicated 1982): This memorial hits closest to home for me, as my dad was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War in 1969. He very rarely talks about it, but I know that fighting, as well as his experiences when he returned home, was an extremely difficult time in his life. I’m really grateful for this memorial, as it is a beautiful and well-deserved tribute to those who struggled both overseas and upon their return to America, as well as to those who never got the opportunity to come home. Seeing the names of the fallen inscribed on the granite wall is gut-wrenching. Walking the length of the wall and seeing the tributes that friends and family leave brings tears to my eyes every time I visit. From letters, to pictures, to stuffed animals, these soldiers continue to be honored. The best part? National Park Services ensures that each memento left is actually stored and catalogued, so that they are always preserved.
The wall is perhaps the most well-known part of the memorial, but don’t leave without seeing the two bronze statues that complete the memorial. They pay rightful homage to the women who served overseas as nurses (The Vietnam Women’s Memorial), as well as to the African and Latino-Americans who served their country during a time when the fight for civil rights in America was still ongoing (The Three Soldiers Statue). Their facial expressions are chilling reminders of the devastation experienced during this controversial conflict.
Korean Veterans Memorial (Dedicated 1995): Often called “the Forgotten War,” the memorial to Korea is a way to remember those who served their country during the conflict that lasted from 1950-1953. To me, this is the most haunting memorial of all. Altogether, there are 19 statues of soldiers spread out across the memorial’s expanse. Like the bronze statues in Vietnam, the expressions on the steel faces of the Korean Memorial soldiers are chilling. They look lost, haunted, scared- and so young. The large ponchos that each soldier wears seem to move as you pass them, which brings the chilling sentiment further alive. Visit in the winter after a fresh snowfall, and you will find snow gathered around the statues’ feet and in the folds of their ponchos- a reminder of the toll that frostbite and wintery conditions took on the soldiers. Walking through this memorial, you can feel how terrified and lost these young men must have felt.
World War II Memorial (Dedicated 2004): By far, my favorite place in the entire city. Wreathed pillars dedicated to all American states and protectorates surround a granite fountain. The sounds of the fountain and the silence of visitors make for an incredibly peaceful spot, yet its great size is a reminder of the massive impact that World War II had on the United States. When I’m here, no matter how frustrated I am at the growing divisiveness in America, I feel a complete sense of pride. I’m reminded of the unity that CAN happen, and that even though we’re far from a perfect country, I’m still proud to be an American.
In 2012, when I visited D.C. for the first time, I planned an ambitious itinerary. For our first day there, I wanted to get through two museums, take a daytime tour of the monuments, eat dinner, and then go on a ghost tour that evening. However, it took so long to get through ONE museum (history teacher problems) that the day’s plans were completely pushed back. We barely made it through one and a half museums before dinner- and then, we missed our ghost tour after we got off at the wrong Metro stop (pathetic, considering how much easier the D.C. Metro is to use compared to the NYC Subway system)! Not wanting to call it a night, we decided to walk by the monuments. That turned out to be the greatest decision of the trip. Though we saw them in the daylight the next day, seeing the D.C. monuments and memorials for the first time at night was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever experienced. The way they illuminate against the dark sky is magical- and the WWII Memorial at night? Forget it. Amazing (see the image above). Eight years later, stopping by the monuments at night is something I encourage every visitor in D.C. to do. To this day, that itinerary blunder ended up creating one of my favorite vacation memories of all time. Plus, we still got to go on the ghost tour the next day- but that’s another story for another entry.
Happy Memorial Day to those who are celebrating!
‘Til next time,
Lau