Memorials to Predsidents

I think this being Veteran's Day is a fitting day for me to write about the Memorials to certain Presidents in DC. I visited the memorials to FDR, Lincoln, and Washington. The Washington Monument stands tall right in the middle of the Mall. It is the marker that everything else on the Mall lines up with. It is the beginning and the core of our history and it stands so very proudly as the base of our freedom. If you stand on the steps to the Lincoln Memorial and look back at the Washington Monument you will see the reflection of the Monument in the water of the Reflection Pool. It does not matter where you stand on the steps, the reflection is there. The many steps that ascend to the Lincoln Memorial represent the steps that were taken to ensure that the words of the Constitution were guaranteed to all. Lincoln served during a horrible period in our history and his leadership kept us on the right path with the words of our founding fathers. His great words are etched in the marble that surrounds his stoic and awe inspiring statue. The Memorial to FDR does not follow the line between Washington and Lincoln. It sits off to the side midway down the reflection pool. It represents a dark side to our American history. It represents a time when America had to find itself from deep within and rebuild itself with hardships and sacrafices. With the leadership of FDR the country was reborn, stronger and able to work together for a common good. FDR inspired individuals to work and great works were accomplished during this time. FDR lead a nation to believe in itself and give to the common good without crossing the thin line into a socialistic philosophy.
All three of these men presided over our county during difficult times. They all demonstrated the same quality of leardership, the ability to insire people to accomplish great things and the courage to stand strong until the job was done. I look at my sons generation and I am troubled by the amount of individuals that honestly believe that they do not need to work or struggle in order to have a better life. They believe that they are entitled to the best that there is to offer without the labor to achieve it. I wish that I could impress upon this generation that the best that there is in life is that which I worked the hardest to achieve. My son's generation is lacking the self dicipline to move forward and I am concerned.
Please click on the photo of the Lincoln Memorial to view the slide show. Remember to back page to return to my blog.