Vietnam War Memorial

This memorial is a wall naming all the casualties in the order of their death. This panel is where it starts. Dale R. Buis died in 1959, before most of us even knew that we were in Vietnam. It is very moving to see how many we lost in that war.

Nebraska Nellie

Korean War Memorial

This is also a photo of one of the soldiers in the line at the Korean War Memorial. This soldier's face is actually the face of the man who designed the memorial.

Nebraska Nellie

Korean War Memorial

I had never seen the Korean War Memorial before, but it is impressive. This is a photo of part of the wall that has actual photos of Korean War veterans lasered on it. The line in the photo is where two of the sections join. It is very difficult to get a good photo because to see the photos well, you have to look at it from an angle. Our tour guide is absolutely convinced that the photo in the middle is Alan Alda from MASH. I think she is right. He is not a Korean War vet but brought a lot of attention to that war in his television portrayal. It was an excellent show.

Nebraska Nellie

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument was planned before Washington's death. This is why it is a monument rather than a memorial. This photo was taken from the Lincoln Memorial

Nebraska Nellie

Lincoln Memorial

Yesterday on our tour, we saw the Lincoln Memorial. I've seen it before but I think it's a beautiful memorial. Our tour guide explained the significance of the position of his hands. He has a clenched fist for war and an open hand for peace. His foot is forward on the side of peace.

The Gettysburg Address is on one of the walls. When you look out from the columns in front of the memorial, you look across the reflective pool directly at the Washington Monument. We've been past it several times, but haven't stopped there yet.

Nebraska Nellie

Smithsonian Natural History Museum

This photo was taken this morning by my guest photograher, KS, at the Natural History Museum's Living Butterfly Garden. I took my camera and forgot to put the battery back in after charging it. We were able to walk through the butterfly garden that was filled with flowers, fruit, and butterflies. We weren't supposed to touch them but they could touch us. Some of the butterflies were huge. Look at this one compared to the pineapple. According to one of the signs, they have tastebuds in their legs. It was beautiful. We were checked at the end to make sure that none of them escaped with us.

Nebraska Nellie

World War II Memorial

This is the pillar or column that represents Nebraska in the WWII Memorial. We were so fortunate to see one of the Honor Tours there with the veterans of WWII at the Memorial. Many of them were in wheel chairs. It was an honor to see some of our men and women there. A woman veteran was being escorted in her wheel chair.

There is a column for all 50 states and 5 territories. One side is for the war in the Pacific and one side represents the war in the Atlantic.

We're heading out for more photo opportunities and lots more to learn today. I'll keep you posted.

Nebraska Nellie