We readied ourselves for the day, ate our breakfast in the hotel, gathered our stuffed backpacks, and walked the short distance to the National Mall, It was a brilliant day, perfect for celebrating America’s Independence. The girls were old enough to have an understanding of the why we celebrate the 4th of July, and young enough to maneuver around a city neither Tom nor I had been to.
Floats and citizens in costumes were finding their spots in the queue that would become a parade. We chatted a bit with a few participants, especially a woman with miniature horses. It was friendly and fun and not unlike the parade participants that would be gathering back home.
We the heard “hear ye, hear ye, hear ye” summoning all, from the National Archives . There the Declaration of Independence was read by a scribe in period costume. I remember this moment clearly, standing in my 20th century clothes (it was still the 20th century) and imagining this treasonous document being read across the land more than 200 years past. I reflected on what this might have felt like, how anxious, determined, frightened citizens must have felt.
We hopped on a D. C trolly which took us hither and yon, the rest of the day.
We covered a lot of ground.
Our first stop was Arlington National Cemetery. The rows upon rows of headstones was sobering, the history of Arlington insightful. I choked back sobs at the eternal flame, remembering it first being lit as young girl when President Kennedy was assassinated, amazed at the well of emotions the small flame evoked. We viewed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other points of interest amid a respectful grouping of people, from all walks of life, on these hallowed grounds.
Our day took us to the Lincoln Memorial, where we were free to view, to read the inscription, to share the history of this president and his presidency with our young daughters. We stood in amazement at the throng of people around the Reflecting Pond – all ages and all walks of life. We visited the Viet Nam Memorial, where I was helped in locating the name of a boy I went to school with, and we listened to a man, dressed in a safari outfit, looking for signatures to get his name on the ballot for United States President. I remember at first thinking he was a Park Ranger – how easily we can be fooled. There were, however, National Park Rangers all around us, for the National Mall is a National Park.
Tom and Jennifer and Katy and I went into the American History Museum and then the National Archives, where we witnessed another changing of the guard at the documents. (I think it was the Declaration of Independence. My memory is a bit foggy as one of our girls managed to walk in front of the armed guards in the ceremony. A moment we all remember.)
The Washington Memorial was closed for repairs that summer, but, we still stood in awe as we gazed upward. The Mall began to fill as dusk approached. We were ill-prepared, but, none-the-less decided to stay for the music and the fireworks on the Mall. This was long before the concerts that are now performed. There was a band and some vendors on the perimeter of the grand lawn. We purchased what were the absolutely WORST hot dogs I have ever had, but, they are a part of our 4th of July DC story, as is the portrait ingrained in my mind of the four of us, on the 4th, sitting on our jackets on the lawn as the grass filled with spectators. The music played on and the stars sparkled in the sky, even as helicopters scanned the area, protecting space above.
As night fell, the crowd grew, anticipation mounted – and finally fireworks filled the sky. I remain grateful that my family and I could observe this American holiday in our National Park – the National Mall.
Photos
Right – Assembly Room, Independence Hall, Philadelphia. This is the room where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed. My photo from a trip to Philadelphia.
Left – Ben Franklin
What a wonderful memory Penny! I can imagine how difficult it was for you to hold back a sob at the sight of the eternal flame because just your telling of it brought tears to my eyes.
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Thank you, Janet. That sob took me by surprise, but, I imagine it has that effect on many. The whole trip was wonderful.
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Sounds like a lovely visit, despite those awful hotdogs! The visit to Arlington National Cemetery sounds sobering indeed.
Hope you are having a wonderful fourth!
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It was lovely, L. Marie; one of those moments in time that we were fortunate to be in. Arlington was such a silent passage, but, good to do. When I think back, the girls were so good – I ran everyone ragged. Hope you fourth was good as well.
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Oh, Penny! Your beautiful story brought tears to my eyes! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. This is such a meaningful story to share with Kenzie and Ezra every year in July! Have you ever thought about adding family photos from that special trip to illustrate this story as a special gift for your grandchildren? It would be a truly wonderful treasure for them to enjoy every year on the Fourth! Family stories make the BEST gifts!
Hope your evening positively sparkles as you watch the National fireworks display on tv and savor those memories, dear friend! 💗
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*Kezzie*
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It surely will be, Dawn. I hope that they can make the trip one day as well.
That’s a great idea, Dawn, and one I haven’t thought of. This was so long ago that the photos are in an album and was long before cell phones. I’ll have to look into that. Thank you. One of the problems I have is that we have so many wonderful 4th of July stories. For years upon years, our house was 4th of July central – and we didn’t always know who was coming as the girls became teenagers. Then, there was a trip to CO – somewhere a photo of the girls throwing snowballs on the 4th on the Continental Divide. (maybe a book about the many 4ths).
(I giggled at Kenzie. My phone always autocorrects to that. I’m not always vigilant in correcting. 🙂 )
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You will definitely need an entire book dedicated to your 4th of July traditions! If you scan your photos you could do the entire project digitally, so then each of your daughters and grandchildren could have a copy of their own. If you choose not to print it, they could view it on their favorite devices. So many options today! Our library is very helpful when I start a photo project, Penny!
That autocorrect is so tricky! 🤷♀️
It looks like we have a very nice weather coming! Enjoy!💗
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Wow, all “the feels” reading this. You captured that wonderful 4th so well! Thank you, Mom. I love you.
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Thank you so much, Jennifer. It touches me that you remember this. I’m so glad we could do this as family when we went. What a day that was! You are most welcome. I love you too.
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What a strong and clear memory, full of telling details, right down to the hot dogs.
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Isn’t it amazing what we sometimes remember? Thank you, Juliet. (this hot dogs were impossible to forget, especially from living in area known for it’s “dogs”.
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A wonderful memory! Thank you for sharing it. I am catching up after being away from blogging for a while. I read your post about definitely not rocking pneumonia and I hope you are fully recovered by now.
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I have been somewhat absent from blogging myself, Sallie, and hoping to pick up the pace a bit more. I’ve missed writing and I’ve truly missed reading and going on adventures with others, particularly with you.
Thank you. It is such a good memory for my family. 🙂 I am much, much better. I find I need to pace myself as I tire easily (couldn’t be my age, could it?) but am truly over the most of it.
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I’m glad I went back to see this blog, Penny. What a wonderful experience for you all, but in particular to have given the girls this opportunity at a young age. It had to have been an amazing day! That’s a memory they’ll always have! 🙂
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I’m glad you did, too, Debra, and I thank you.
It was, indeed, a wonderful experience and he girls still remember this trip, and the 4th of July the threw snowballs at each other on the Continental Divide!
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