Clara Barton

Thursday, November 17th-We left DC today to go back to PA  to pick up Miss Jim B.  We stopped at the Clara Barton National Historic Site.  This was extremely educational and enjoyable.  Clara Barton is the first woman to be honored by the National Park Service.  Affectionately called The Angel of the Battlefield, she is responsible for bringing the Red Cross to this country.  Born in Massechusetts on Christmas day 1821,she lived to be 90 years old (passing 4 days before the sinking of the Titanic).  She lived through 23 presidents and though she was friend's with many of them,  she was not allowed to vote.

Clara was the youngest of five children and grew up in a happy home.  She loved to ride horses and ice skate.  Reportedly she was very smart and could spell the word artichoke when she was three.  Being a tomboy and not the typical Victorian girl was of concern so a Fernologist was consulted.  After feeling her head, he said that she should become a school teacher.

At 17, she began teaching and eventually would open her own school in New Jersey.  School was not free in New Jersey and she felt all should have the opportunity for an education.  Miss Barton was an excellent teacher and the school grew from 6-600 students.  However, a male was hired as principal since a woman could not possibly handle so many students.  Miss Barton quit and moved to DC to work in the patent office.  She was very good at her job but was eventually demoted due to her gender.

About this time the Civil War was breaking out and she felt called to make a difference especially after seeing 40 of her former students injured after a battle.  She started collecting food and supplies to help the soldiers.  In 1862, she received a pass to help out on the front line at Antietam.  Here a bullet would pass through her sleeve and fatally wound the soldier she was helpingShe would particiapte in 13Civil War battles. At first, she helped only Northern soldiers but would eventually help all soldiers. After the war, Lincoln put her in charge of the Missing Soldiers Office. Miss Barton became tired and needed a vacation where she went to Switzerland.  It was here she was introduced to the REd Cross and would stay and work for three years.  When she came back to the states, she tried to convince the government to start a Red Cross but they didn't think we would be having any more wars  soon.  She traveled and gave lectures on her experiences and on civil rights.  Made lots of money doing this.  Eventually, she had a good idea:  Natural Disasters.  This idea spurred the govt. to allow the establishment of the Red Cross.  The Red Cross was crucial in the relief of the Johnstown Flood.  She would help send supplies to other countries as well: Russia, Cuba, France, Germany.

She was 60 years old when she started the Red Cross and 75 when she was offered this free mansion by the developers of Glen Echo.  They thought it would boost their sales to have a resident celebrity.  It was in this house that she lived her last 15 years, managed the Red Cross Office, and hosted numerous volunteers and guests.

Our tour guide, Ranger Fran was excellent and we joined in with a second grade class on the tour.  We loved seeing the supplies stored away in the hall closets and the red cross stained glass window.  Bandages hung the chandellier and cloth for bandages covered the walls.  The floating bedroom was a favorite of nephew, Steve Barton who helped with the REd Cross.  The sunroom on the second floor was where she would write 70 letters a week. At 83, Clara helped start the First Aid Association of America.

Natural History Museum

Tuesday, November 15th-We spent a leisurely day in the Natural History Museum today.  The mammal, gems and deep sea exhibits were our favorites.  We also got to see the story and equipment used in the Chilean Mine rescue from last year.  A lasting memory will be when we left to go  home and were walking across the mall, we said a prayer of thanks for our time in DC and resurrected our we are family dance.  We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here in DC and the children don't want to leave.  I said that's the best position to be in because you will have so  much to look forward to in coming back.  Our capital is a treasure as well as our dear friend, Jim who so graciously hosted us for over a week.  Thank you Jim!!!We hope it won't be so long until we see each other again.

Part three-November 14th

The weather was so glorious that we missed the Kennedy Center tour.  However, we did make it in time to hear the Army Blues for the free concert and walk around a bit.  A dance floor was set up and what was especially rememorable was dancing together.  I danced with Stefan and Janae with Mark.  It was so much fun seeing the sheer joy on Janae's face and seeing Stefan smile ear to ear as we attempted to swing dance.  When I took Stefan to get a snack and a drink,  he said "I love you mama."  I said," I love you too" and he replied, "I love you more" really touched my heart.  I think we might have a new family hobby.

The hall of nations

The new millenium stage-We called Grandpa when they opened with St. Louis Blues.  Band sounded great.

Orfur crystal chanelliers, a gift from Sweden

Part two, National Mall

On the rocks are FDR's words "I HATE WAR"

On the other side is written:  Out of the mountain of despair
A stone of hope."  Martin Luther King
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. MLK

Names arranaged alphabetically by the day. Sometimes as many as 1500 in a day,  Almost 59,000 total.  A perspective: Civil War would have 10 more walls to  represent casualties

A cheerful black squirrel adds diversion

Constitution Gardens

WW II fountain

Saying Jr. Ranger pledge

National Mall,Junior Ranger

Monday, November 14th-It was an absolutely glorious, sunny with a little breeze day and we took our time walking to all the monuments and answering the jr. ranger questions.  We all learn as a family.  Reading all the quotes and studying what each president stood for is inspirational and though we're far from being a perfect country, we  have a lot to be proud of.  Seeing the numerous foreigners studying and observing our  history also is telling that freedom from all tyranny is what we all long for. The tidal basin is absolutely beautiful and so artistically done.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their  Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit Happiness
                                                                                               Declaration of Independence
I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal  hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.                                                                                       Thomas Jefferson

                                                                                              

Thomas Jefferson was so many things:architect, President, musician, inventor, book collecter, farmer) but we learned what he most wanted to be rememered for: l.  Author of Declaration of Independence, 2. Leader in getting Virginia to pass the Statue of Virginia (seperating church and state, meaning you could worship where wanted and not have to pay tax to the state church)3. Father of the University of Virginia (first public university in the country).

National Cathedral

Sunday, November 13-We attended worship services here today which was a special occasion on numerous accounts.  One was that this was the first time the church had been opened in 50 days due to the damage from the earthquake.  Secondly, it was the conecration of their new bishop, Reverend Mariann Budde and finally, we were interviewed by two tv stations leaving the service.  Sondra's excerpt of "it was a beautiful and moving service" made the story and was aired on Channel 7 news. We thought for sure they would aire Janae's commentary on the bishop's bright clothes and that this was the final resting place of Woodrow Wilson, her favorite president.

Sondra had attended a memorable Maundy Thursday service with her family and had wanted to share it with Mark, Janae and Stefan.  Today, was a beautiful service.  It was long and the children did well.  The choir was celestial and the Anthem, A Prayer by  music director Michael McCarthy was especially beautiful.  The new bishop's serman was moving and powerful.  "You are a unique expression of God's creative genius" as she challenged each one to live well the lives that were given to each of us. "Don't be embarressed by failures unless you don't grow something beautiful from them."  Jesus's ministry was filled with compassion, forgiveness and mercy but he also believed in God's judgement and he hated hypocrisy and self rightousness. A repeat listening of her serman online is a future must. Janae and I met her briefly after service and she mentioned that she had attended Air Academy H.S. in Colorado Springs.  We enjoyed exploring the church and all the chapels especially the children's chapel with the little chairs and alter.  We learned that President Wilson is the only one buried in Washington DC and that he is the only president to remain living in DC after his presidency.  He became actively involved in the cathedral congregation.The stained glass windows are beautiful and one that was given by NASA has a moon rock in it.  We saw Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan's resting place.

After the service, we relaxed and played in the Cathedral gardens and then attended the prelude portion of the Marine service later in the afternoon.   We wanted to hear the President's Own brass choir in such a beautiful venue.  Gabrieli never sounded so good.  Our enriching day ended with a delicious Ty meal followed by awecome cupcakes in Old Town with our dear friend Ani Barbarian, who plays clarinet now in the D.C. Air Force Band.

We made the  news!

Queen Elizabeth II and Gerald Ford in attendance for dedication of rose window

with Bishop Mariann

moon rock window

with President Wilson

Dancing in the courtyard

in the church gardens

 A few cathedral facts:
The dream of a national cathedral dates to the days of George Washington’s presidency. Memorable moments in the life of the Cathedral include President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1907 speech, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last sermon, and President Ronald Reagan’s State Funeral.

1907: The first stone

The longest-running construction project in Washington, D.C., (83 years) history officially began on September 29, 1907, when workmen laid the Cathedral’s foundation stone. President Theodore Roosevelt and the Bishop of London spoke to a crowd of ten thousand. The stone itself came from a field near Bethlehem and was set into a larger piece of American granite. On it was the inscription: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

1912–1969: History under construction

After Bethlehem Chapel opened for services in 1912, the Cathedral quickly became a place for services of national focus, even as it remained under construction.

• 1918 – President Woodrow Wilson attends official thanksgiving service for the end of the First World War.
• 1921 – President Warren G. Harding leads all 34 delegates to the Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments to a special Cathedral service through the “Way of Peace” entrance by Bethlehem Chapel.
• 1928 – President Calvin Coolidge opens the General Convention of the Episcopal Church at the Cathedral.
• 1941 – Monthly services begin on behalf of a united people in a time of emergency; community memorial services are held at the Cathedral for World War II soldiers.
• 1956 – President Woodrow Wilson’s tomb in the Cathedral is dedicated.
• 1968 – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., preaches his last Sunday sermon from the Canterbury Pulpit.
• 1969 – World leaders gather for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s State Funeral.

1970–1990: A crowning achievement

As construction finished, the Cathedral’s place in history was firmly established.

• 1976 – The Cathedral’s nave and west rose window were completed and dedicated in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and President Gerald Ford.
• 1982 – The Pilgrim Observation Gallery was completed and opened to the public.
• 1983 – The final phase of construction began with the setting of the first stone for the west towers.
• 1990 – The completion of the west towers marked the end of 83 years of construction.

2001–Present: A new century of leadership

In the new millennium, Washington National Cathedral continues to grow and change to fill the spiritual needs of the nation. The Cathedral was the site of President George W. Bush’s Inaugural Prayer Service and the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service on September 14, 2001. In 2002, the Cathedral’s Christmas Day service marked its fiftieth nationwide telecast. Thousands mourned the deaths of presidents Ronald Wilson Reagan (2004) and Gerald Ford (2007).

In 2007, the Cathedral marked the start of its second century with a centennial celebration including festivals, reunions, exalted liturgy, concerts, lectures, and the inauguration of the new dean’s Sunday Forum.

 

Arlington Cemetary/White House/Post Office

Saturday,  November 13th,-A glorious, sunny, Indian summer fall day.  We spent the earlier  part of the day in Arlington Cemetary.  It is a beautiful, final resting place.  Overwhelming the sea of white tombstones.  We learned that Arlington was George Washington's stepson's estate and that GW's great granddaughter would marry Robert E. Lee here on the terrace.  Incidentally, another irony  is that Lee would free his slaves in 1861, 2 years before the end of the war.  Lee's estate was seized by the union and his land turned into Arlington cemetary.  Lincoln's memorial blocks the view when looking from the Capital to Arlington.  Especially moving is the Tomb of the  Unknown Soldier has been guarded and honored 24/7 since it's inception in 1937.  Hurricanes, earthquakes and storms have not deterred the soldiers from continuing their reverance.  A constant reminder to  us all that freedom is not free.

JFK and Jackie's grave

We took the train to the white house and enjoyed seeing it's beauty from the outside with hundreds of others before stepping into the visitor center.  The White House is made from quarried sandstone from nearby that is painted.

We closed our day with nice sunset views from the top of the Old Post Office.  We were rushed as we didn't know they closed at 5:00.