On Saturday afternoon, after finishing leaving the Lincoln Memorial, Mel mentioned we could either have a bite to eat or continue on to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt, quite a hike from where we were standing. Mel had noticed back at the hotel I was reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, No Ordinary Time about Roosevelt and Eleanor during the war years.
"Icing on the cake", I said. Going to FDR's Memorial will be the highlight of the day. Since I was a little girl I have heard the stories of the role both played during the Depression and the War. For several years my Dad worked in the CCC (Conservation Corps) and later the men in Dad's family went off to war...two in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific. Over the years I have read several biographies of both FDR and his wife.
I thought it was especially poignant that at the beginning of FDR's presidency, he faced the same economic woes that Obama faces today. As I was walking through the Memorial and reading Roosevelt's words I couldn't help but draw a parallel to today's events. Many of the same things Roosevelt was concerned with...depression, unemployment, war...Obama is dealing with on a daily basis.
Unlike the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, FDR's is more expansive with five outdoor rooms populated with shade trees, waterfalls, statuary, and quiet alcoves. As a result, one has the feeling one is in a secluded garden...probably the same feeling one had in the 30's as our parents and grandparents sat on their porches or in their living rooms listening to FDR's Fireside Chats. As I read the various quotations from FDR carved into the granite walls, I felt he was speaking to our generation and the generations to come...for do we not face many of the same problems?
Homeless man in Dupont Circle, July 18, 2009
Homeless man on Connecticut Avenue, dawn on July 18th, 2009
George Segal's sculpture of a 1930's breadline, in Room Two of the Memorial, shows the literal and figurative hunger that many Americans felt in the Depression years.
Listening to a Fireside Chat
Bob, a wee bit hungry.
Homeless Woman on the stairs of St. Mathew's Church on the evening of July 19, 2009.
These beautiful "raised relief" sculptures depicted all four terms of Roosevelt's Presidency.
In Room Three, there is a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt commemorating her role as First Lady, as well as her later work as United Nations delegate and champion for human rights. She is my hero....even more so then Franklin...though he was right up there with her! Lol
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The FDR Memorial stands in the West Potomac Park between the Tidal Basin and Potomac River.
On the shore of the Tidal Basin at the FDR Memorial looking across at the Lincoln Memorial. One can also see the Washington Memorial.
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Comments: 76
I have not seen this memorial, but I will.
FDR and Eleanor are my two favorite presidential people, without a doubt.
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Just got back from breakfast with Terry, my cousin and Gino and see you and Lynne had a real discussion without me.
Sarah Palin is descended from about 10 Mayflower lines, including the Deborah Sampson (revolutionary soldier) line. Deborah Sampson is descended from Henry Samson, Mayflower passenger.
Palin is also connected to the Delano family, another family name among hundreds descended from Henry Samson.
FWIW, I am a descendant of Henry, therefore connected to Deborah and also Sarah.
oh dear.
I am also related to the Mayhews.
We were there in 2001, and drove there. We parked our car during the day, usually and we were in a ghetto not far from the central area. We were in the Federal Center and Smithsonian area, and never even took the Metro.
When we went to MD or VA, we did drive but did not have any problems at all.
The Metro is beautiful, clean and quiet, and, like Montreal, was styled after the Paris metro. Far superior to either NYC or Boston or Chicago or London.
Prague has a great Metro.
The Metrorail system is so huge now, that you can get to many places in VA and MD.
In 82 when I worked there, we did not have a car - and we took the Metro to the Zoo (easy) to Georgetown, DuPont circle, everywhere.
The subway map looks really awesome.
You won't have a problem driving in DC.
To get to the White House tour, when we were there in 2001, I had to get up at 6 and get in line for the free tickets. I took the subway from where we were staying. Line was only about half an hour.
At one point, several black SUVs drove by and the ticket guy said: Bill Clinton is one of those. The windows were all blackened, so we didn't know which one.
The tour was fabulous. Much better than when I was on the tour in the 60s.
It was like: Air and Space: 45 minutes; Natioinal Gallery: 45 minutes; Natural History: 45 minutes; American History: 45 minutes
(that was in 82/83...
In 2001, we did take photos, some but not sure where they are.
There was one priceless photo of our then 13-yo son posing next to an early primate ancestor in the National Museum of Natural History.
Twins.
I did disappear. Every Saturday morn at 7:30 I go out for breakfast with my cousin Terry and his partner for breakfast...we catch up on all the "gossip" and "activities" of our extended family. They wanted to know about my trip, how Will was doing, etc.
Soon I have to get off because today is Old Home Day in my town with a big clambake. I'll be in and out all day.
Kathryn, thank you for all the information. Your comment about your 13 yr old and the twins statement is so funny.
I'm definitely going to have to start talking up Washington and get my husband inclined. It is time.
Yesterday was packed full. After posting and commenting on my essay, I went off to Old Home Day...big clambake in the center of town. Back home I found I couldn't get on Gather...they wouldn't recognize my username...tried for an hour, no luck. Emailed magi and asked him to notify "Chuck", Gather Support and then had to go off to a Benefit for my cousin's kid. When I got home at 11, Gather knew who I was.
Again I am grateful to tag along in your photo essays...a lap top travelor.
Question, did he have a wound on his finger? It looks like it on his statue.
Love the bread line~ let's hope our don't get too long
I do not remember. Did you see the Vietnam Wall?
This one is an exceptional photoessay, Bob. The pictures raised the hair on my arms, they are so poignant and timely. I am sending the link to friends and family so they too can see your beautiful pictures and read their message.
Thanks for sharing them with us!
I was sitting on my dad's lap when he was listening to FDR tell us Pearl Harbor had been bombed. I still remember his voice coming out of that brown box and we looked at it just like it was a television set.
I also remember the speech he made about outsiders wanting to come into our country.
He had it right. To bad we aren't still following his guidelines.
Great pictures which I'm going to have to look at one their own.
If only America would put FDR's words about social justice into action ... there is no liberty, justice, freedom and the pursuit of happiness when one is homeless on the cold and heartless streets.
Gather doesn't recognize me. When I hit on one of my comments in yahoo mail box it brings me to a page in Gather where they ask me to sign in...when I try to do that it says I have wrong username/password. Can you contact Gather Support ....
Friends, when the problem has been rectified by Gather, Bob will be back to respond to your comments.
WE thank you for sharing this with us. I love the shots you took. Very POWERFUL.
This is FEATURED in Artistic Minds®.
Now if we could only get the President and congress to take a tour of the memorial. The next step would be making them understand how important those words/phrases carved in stone are.
By showing him in the wheelchair, I am sure, shows his determination and courage and is a real inspiration for people with disabilities.