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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2019 Monumental Thoughts.
Author Archives: Rick
Batmobile comes to Washington
The Batmobile was near the White House so help’s on the way. The car from the Batman Forever movie (1995) featuring Val Kilmer was displayed for two days as part of the opening of an office for the Motion Pictures … Continue reading
Second to none: the Second Division Memorial
Between the White House and the Washington Monument, the Second Division Memorial on Constitution Ave. approaching 17th St. is another overlooked sculpture. It’s something people just pass by. The memorial commemorates the U.S. Army’s Second Division’s dead during World War … Continue reading
The curious cube of Congressional Cemetery
The black cube in Congressional Cemetery curiously placed at an angle will make you stop. The graves of Charles Fowler and Kenneth Dresser are marked with a cube just 50 yards on the right once entering the gate. Fowler was … Continue reading
Winston Churchill – man of two worlds
Winston Churchill does an international game of hokey pokey outside the British embassy on Massachusetts Ave. Embassies are technically foreign soil so the 186 in town form quite an international landmass. But the late British prime minister, who led England … Continue reading
Sphere No. 6 is . . .
Sphere No. 6 is: a) What was left of the Death Star after Luke Skywalker blew it up. b) The remnants of Earth after a nuclear explosion. c) A bronze sculpture by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. d) I have no … Continue reading
Lafayette – the Frenchman that Americans loved
The General Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette was a key figure in American winning its independence. Lafayette blocked the escape route of the British ships at Yorktown, thus forcing Gen. Cornwallis to surrender to George Washington. Lafayette stands atop a marble … Continue reading
James Garfield Memorial – my 6th cousin
The only thing I knew about James Garfield was he was once U.S. president. I would have struggled to write a fifth-grade report on him But coming across Garfield’s memorial on the U.S. Capitol grounds intrigued me into learning more. … Continue reading
The Chess Players: It’s not over until it’s over
I’m telling you, the player on the left could still win this match. Come on, take the castle already. This game has been going on for an eternity. Well, at least since 1983. The Chess Players is one of those … Continue reading
Detroit pizza in Washington?
I love pizza and always ready for new experiences. When I heard of perogies on pizza at Red Light (14th and R Sts. NW) it was a no-brainer to try it. Well, the perogie one was good, though you tasted … Continue reading
The Concert makes you stop
I’ll admit to not knowing much about art, but I know what I like and “The Concert” by Dutch artist Gerrit Van Honthorst made me stop, sit and ponder. The 1623 oil painting hangs in the National Gallery of Art, … Continue reading
Save George Washington, get a statue – Casimir Pulaski
Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski was a Polish count who came to America to fight for freedom. He once saved George Washington’s life, but is best known for teaching American troops the discipline needed to fight the mighty British troops. Pulaski … Continue reading
A 3D map of town at your feet – Freedom Plaza
Freedom Plaza may be filled with skateboarding teenagers, lost tourists or protestors, but the Pennsylvania Ave. near 14th St. N.W. median is also a map of town’s original plan. The L’Enfant Map detailing the 1791 plan by Washington’s first city … Continue reading
National Fire Dog Monument honors arson teams
After looking for the new National Fire Dog Monument every time I drove by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, I walked the area one day. And there it was in plain sight — by the Engine Co. 2 fire … Continue reading
Layed off – On the street again
I was sitting in the Redskins media room like I have off and on since 1983. I was reading Twitter and saw my boss say her last day at the paper was tomorrow. Wait, what? A quick call told me … Continue reading
We cannot tell a lie – GW’s birthplace is cool
Monumental Thoughts has a guest contributor – Megan Johnson. (Hey, we’re all for free labor.) A sprawling stretch of land along Popes Creek, Va., isn’t all that different today from when George Washington entered the world 284 years ago – … Continue reading
