They call Washington, DC the city of statues. Actually that’s probably not true, but they certainly could if they wanted to. Aside from the well-known monuments that adorn the pages of every Social Studies textbook in the US, there are countless others all around the city. In fact, it can be hard to turn a corner in DC without seeing a statue, a monument, or a plaque for some historic figure. The size and style varies, some are grander than others, but it seems that Washington, DC is a city that remembers its history.
My first glimpse of DC came from the air, as we were approaching Reagan National Airport. We had been “on approach” for what had seemed like forever, and I was glued to the tiny window, gazing down as the green hills gradually turned to suburban housing developments and office parks. Finally we banked to the south, and across the river was what I assumed to be Washington. A surge of excitement ran through me as I located the Washington Monument, a tiny spire standing tall in the center of the miniature city. We quickly made another turn to head in to land, but I had seen it. We were in DC.
As regular readers (ha!) know, this trip had been planned out well in advance, and from the instant the door to our CRJ-200 had opened, I knew what was on tap for the day and days ahead. The first afternoon would necessarily be spent walking the National Mall. The Mall defines DC, and to not set a day aside to simply appreciate its magnificence would be a disservice to the city. And what an experience it is. Arriving at the Smithsonian Metro station, you ascend an escalator from the dark of the tunnel into sunlight above. As your eyes adjust to the light, you look around in all directions, straining to see the familiar yet somehow new sights. Reaching the top, the Mall is clearly to your left, but trees and buildings hide anything else from view.
But take a few steps onto the mall itself, clear of the buildings and foliage that hems in the station, and suddenly you are there. The first thing you see is the Washington Monument, a simple obelisk rising hundreds of feet above you, stark and austere. Turning around 180 degrees you find the ornately complex dome of the Capitol building, perched atop the columned rectangle below. At the other end, not visible from this location, is the Lincoln Memorial, a marvel of white stone from which the giant President sternly gazes out. The Mall is deceptively enormous, it is grand, and it is amazing.
But each memorial on the mall is so much more than just a wonder to behold. It is a reminder, even a guardian of the story it symbolizes. The Washington Monument, at the center of the Mall, just as George Washington was central in the founding of our nation. It is the simplest monument there, a four-sided spike of white stone. And perhaps that is most appropriate. Although President Washington had a complex and multifaceted life, to us as a people, he is a symbol of our nation, the foremost founding father. Consider this, told to us later in the week when we toured Mount Vernon (unfortunately poorly paraphrased).
“Washington could have remained President for as long as he wanted. But he served two terms and then left the office so the democracy could go on. That was Washington’s legacy. He gave us our system of government. Remember that and you don’t need stories about cherry trees or wooden teeth!”
Or consider the Lincoln Memorial. Abraham Lincoln, probably our most beloved President, is in many ways considered larger-than-life. He, more than any other American figure, is the one we look to as a source of wisdom, temperance and honesty. Fittingly, his monument is also larger-than-life, literally, yet also humbling and inspiring respect. From outside, the monument is simply a brick surrounded by pillars, with an indistinct form within. Stepping inside, you find yourself awestruck by the immense seated figure, to whom you can only look up. A solemn look covers his face as he looks out upon the city, a constant reminder to think of the ideals he stood for.
A little further off the National Mall, there are two figures on horseback we saw during our stay in the city. One, the Casmir Pulaski monument, was of personal interest to me, and we made a point to visit it. As a proud Polish-American, I have always been happy to be able to identify a Pole who was instrumental in our country’s history. In the American Revolution, Pulaski brought his cavalry to American soldiers unfamiliar with such a force. Thanks in part to Pulaski and his men, the Americans prevailed, and the USA is what it is today. A statue of Pulaski sitting astride his horse stands on 15th St and Pennsylvania Ave to salute this achievement.
The other man on horseback is a statue we walked past many times on Pennsylvania Avenue, whose name we read once and never remembered. Clearly he was important at some time in history, and there are certainly those who knew him well enough for a statue to be cast, but for the life of me, I couldn’t tell you who he was. How many more statues are there, in DC or elsewhere, of a person who did something very important, yet is unknown today? And aside from me, how many people who walked past the statue of Casmir Pulaski every day, even know who he was or what he contributed to the world?
I think the true importance of these monuments lies somewhere in the middle, between Washington and Lincoln (as well as Jefferson and Roosevelt, who I didn’t have room to mention here, but had equally inspiring monuments) and Pulaski and the unnamed rider. Seeing the grandeur of the “name” monuments inspires us, makes us all want to lead better more meaningful lives, so that one day our names might be considered in the same sense as Washington’s and Lincoln’s. At the same time, the riders tell us that many of those who do perform great deeds can eventually be all but lost to time.
So we can seek inspiration from these figures, but I won’t spend my time hoping for a statue to be made of me. For if I think about it, I doubt even Washington or Lincoln ever sought statues and monuments. So let us use that inspiration to lead good lives, whether we change the world like those names in the textbooks, or by simply being a good parent, or sibling or spouse. If one day there is a statue to me or you, to inspire the next generation, that’s just an added bonus, and maybe a photo-op on someone’s vacation.
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