How close will we be this weekend to the Vietnam Memorial?

[Jo March]

I'd like to go and get a rubbing of my Uncle Dexter's name.

Thanks.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. You just walk west

It's right down Constitution Avenue from the Washington Monument, going toward the Lincoln Memorial. In fact, it's right before you get to the Lincoln Memorial (and the Memorial Bridge).

Across the street from the Vietnam Memorial, right before you hit 23rd Street (crossing Constitution Avenue), there's a really wonderful statue of Albert Einstein, at the National Academy of Sciences. Try not to miss it.

It's here: http://tinyurl.com/9jhy8

You'll have no trouble.

Good luck.

[Jo March]

2. Thanks. I told my mom that I would get it for her

He died after only being in Vietnam for 6 weeks. He was her favorite brother and they were very, very close. It still hurts her to this day.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

3. I lost a school friend there

He was killed on his second day there. I go to visit with Dennis every time I'm in the area.

It's a remarkable site, and it's now the Number One visitor destination in DC. If you have the chance, visit it late at night. That, I think, is when it's at its most beautiful.

Have a fine old time, and good for you for doing this for your mother.

[Jo March]

4. She's a bushbot but is slowly coming around

My sister was in Dessert Shield/Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq. She is beginning to understand that my sister could get killed in another senseless war.

I will try to visit it at night if someone will go with me. I don't know the area and don't want to be out after dark by myself. :)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

5. Get someone

Yes, that's a good idea, although it's a very heavily travelled street and there's very little foot traffic beyond tourists.

But, yeah, get someone to go with you. I assure you, it's an experience you'll have nowhere else.

Good luck turning your Mom all the way around. This Mom is pulling for you, kid ...........

:yourock:

[Jo March]

8. Thanks! It's not easy

She has never known what to do with me, really. Last night we were talking and she said, "You've always been my little radical." But for the first time, there was a little bit of respect in her voice.

She told me to yell at * for her, which amazed me. She voted for him twice. Seeing all of the dead from NOLA has started to turn her against *. She's a nurse and seeing the elderly and children who have suffered is really getting to her.

[Virginian]

18. Most of the attractions are lined up in a row.

Here are a few of the sights you can see without any fear of getting lost. Lined up approximately from West to East.

Starting in VA, (Daytime only as these are all in Arlington Cemetery)
The Custis-Lee Mansion AKA Arlington House,
Robert F. Kennedy's grave,
John F. Kennedy's grave,
(The tomb of the Unknown Soldiers is not far but is not in line)

DC -- Monuments are open 24 hours.
The Memorial Bridge
The Lincoln Memorial
The VietNam Memorial
The Korean War Memorial
Memorial for Women who served
The DC World War I memorial (hidden in the trees south of reflecting pool)
Constitution Gardens (a tribute to the writers/radifiers of the Constitution)
The World War II Memorial
The Washington Monument (get your tickets early)
- White House to the North, (WH Museum on Penn. Ave. not too far away.)
- Jefferson Memorial to the South.

(The following are Free, but check the hours, they sometimes close as early as 4:30)

The Smithsonian Museums (Free, but check the hours, they sometimes close as early as 4:30)
The National Archives
The Art Museums
The Native American Museum (Is it part of Smithsonian? I don't know)
The National Botanical Gardens (Great big greenhouse)
The Capitol. (Get your tickets early)

The Hawk and Dove Restaurant for the Friday night Meet and Greet - Three blocks SE of the Capitol 329 Pennsylvania Ave SE. Walk with a friend.

If you are coming in a day early or staying a day later, take the tourmobile, and save your feet for the march.

[northzax]

19. the mall is insanely safe at night

it's probably the safest public place, in a city, in the world. I know women who run there at night all the time. getting there is a different story.

they usually turn off the lights sometime around 11, so get there before then to see the monument at it's most effective.

[SharonRB]

12. I love that Einstein statue -- especially at night.

[Ready4Change]

6. It's an easy walk to the hardest of Memorials.

It's brilliant, and fitting, and definitely worth a visit.

But be ready. It hits a lot of people hard.

[Jo March]

7. Great. I am already close to tears anyway

Between the Katrina images and this stupid administration, I feel like crying every day.

I never knew my uncle. Another power-hungry man sent him to his death long before I came along. My heart breaks for my mother, though.

[Ready4Change]

10. It's worth it.

Trust me. If you do break down there, you won't be the only one.

I used to work within walking distance of it, and would take lunch breaks to view it. I've seen bikers and guys in suits break down together.

A lot of the other monuments make you feel very touristy. The Vietnam Memorial is different. Very intimate and personal. Despite seeming very grim, it's also quite (cathartic? healing?) as well.

[livvy]

9. This is the what I want to visit the most this weekend also.

There's several things I want to see, but this is my number one priority (aside from the march itself). I really would like to spend a bit of time there, just to think. Maybe I'll meet you at one of the events. It sounds like it would be neat to see at night.
:hi:

[Jo March]

11. Livvy, let's try to meet on Friday and we'll walk over there together

I'll PM you, okay? Right after I get the kids to bed. :)

[SharonRB]

14. Livvy and I are travling together, Arnheim, so that would

be a great chance to meet you. I'll PM you my cell number. We're at the Capitol Hill Suites.

[livvy]

16. Sounds like a plan. You and I and Sharon, and...

whomever else would like to go, too. I'll PM you my cell number also, so you'll have both mine and Sharon's.

[SharonRB]

13. Hey, livvy

We definitely can make it there. The only monument I haven't seen is the new WWII memorial, so I definitely want to go there. Other than that, whatever you want to do, we can try to do, time permitting. I figured we'd try to hit a bunch of the monuments after we check in tomorrow (tomorrow????? wow!) if you want to.

[livvy]

15. I'd like to see that also. It was number 2 on my list.

The three of us (or more) can go over to the Wall. See you in the morning. I have to get back to cleaning for my visiting dog-sitter.

[SharonRB]

17. I'm glad you found someone to stay with the dogs at your house.

I'm going to watch ER in a few and then get up early to pack. I don't feel like dealing with it tonight.

See ya in the a.m.