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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2019 Monumental Thoughts.
Tag Archives: Photo by Rick Snider
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
The Hall family and the angel
Mary Ann Hall was a popular madam in Washington, running a bordello where the American Indian Museum now stands. It was said to be the classiest one in Washington during the Civil War. Mary Ann and a sister are buried … Continue reading
Washington Circle remembers that Washington
It is perhaps the most overlooked statue in plain sight of the man for whom the city is named. Washington Circle by Foggy Bottom that intersects 23rd, K St., New Hampshire Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW has a bronze equestrian … Continue reading
Happy Labor Day
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Best Washington DC walking tours, Labor Day, Photo by Rick Snider
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Remembering one of NASA’s own
From George Washington to the moon all within a few feet. Walking the path to colonial St. John’s Church has a historical marker saying the Episcopal church was erected in 1723 and our nation’s first president attended services there many … Continue reading
Posted in Memorials
Tagged Bernard Lee Johnson, Fort Washington Md., Photo by Rick Snider, St. John's Church
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Whooping Cranes bring wilds to downtown
Walking down 16th & O Sts. NW, I was drawn to an unexpected one-acre park where a stainless steel sculpture of two 12-foot tall whooping cranes draw you in. Wait . . . what? Kent Ullberg created the cranes in … Continue reading
Posted in Washington life
Tagged Kent Ullberg, Photo by Rick Snider, Washington D.C., Whooping Cranes
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All aboard for Randolph
If you’ve ever taken a train at Union Station, you’ve passed this statue. It’s right by the entrance to the boarding area. A. Philip Randolph was among America’s leading black labor and civil rights leaders. The plaque beneath the bust … Continue reading
My guide in Gdansk
Posted in Wordless Wednesday
Tagged European vacation, Gdansk Poland, Photo by Rick Snider
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Down by the old, old, old spring house
It is a house of mystery. Well, at least a spring house of mystery. In nearly the middle of Ft. Lincoln Cemetery is a spring house believed to be one of the older structural relics of the American colonization … Continue reading
Capitol pediment: The Progress of Civilization
The Senate portico’s eastern front (facing the sunrise) is about America and its conquests. Frankly, the Capitol pediment pretty easy symbolism to decipher. According to James M. Goode’s fine book “Washington Sculpture,” the woman in the middle is America standing … Continue reading
Posted in Monuments and Statues
Tagged pediment, Photo by Rick Snider, The Progress of Civilization, U.S. Capitol
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The ‘Journalist’ of Arlington National Cemetery
Section 7A of Arlington National Cemetery is one of the smaller areas just below the Tomb of the Unknowns, but it certainly has a number of famous folks. Joe Louis, Pappy Boyington and Lee Marvin were buried just steps apart. … Continue reading
The Vietnam Wall
Posted in Memorials
Tagged Best Washington DC walking tours, Photo by Rick Snider, Vietnam Wall
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Thoughts on visiting Europe
Eight countries, 170,000-plus steps, planes, trains, boats, subways and cars. We pretty much conquered Europe over 16 days. I’m just going to take it one thought at a time. At the risk of sounding like an ugly American, my wife … Continue reading
