Mr. Joe goes to Washington

Joe and mom got to go to Washington, DC!  It was Joe’s first plane ride of his memory.  His last plane ride was very memorable for mom… he was only two and he barfed all over himself and the plane wall.  But, enough of that gross memory.  On to some new fun ones!

Our first stop was to the Museum of American History.  They have the original “Star-Spangled Banner” – not the first one by Betsy Ross, but the one that was flying over Ft. McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote what would become our National Anthem.  They had a big demonstration in the main foyer while we were there.  They unfolded this huge flag and we all sang the National Anthem.  Very loud, very cool.  Joe wasn’t so interested in the First Ladies’ dresses, but we did tour the Civil War and Civil Rights part of the museum.  We haven’t really studied that yet, but I thought he was old enough.

Grandma and Grandpa met us there.  They’re super easy travelling companions.  (Plus, they were the ones that hooked us up with the tickets!)

Joe in front of the Lincoln Memorial.  He said this was his favorite part of the trip!

Crazy eyes!  We just learned that Lincoln’s hands are on fasces, a symbol of power from even before ancient Rome.

Yeah, he’s totally going to have to memorize that speech.  His teacher told me so.

On the other side of the Lincoln Memorial now stands the WWII memorial.  It’s fairly new and I had never seen it.  There are two big towers, one for the Pacific theatre and one for Europe.  We got Joe’s picture here because Granddad Carrol (his middle namesake) was in these battles: Saipan, Tinian, and I think Guam.

Further around the fountain, was where Grandpa Norbert fought (our would have if it weren’t for the end of the war)

On the other side of the Memorial, they have the European theatre.  Here is Joe and Grandpa by two big battles that Grandpa Elvin was in.  It was a very beautiful and fitting memorial.  Very well done.

Next Stop:  Air and Space Museum!  Joe got to touch a rock from the moon!

Couldn’t help myself after all of the balloon stories we read this year.

An exact replica of the first airplane!

Grandpa’s machine!!  For years, my dad took care of the “Flight Insurance” machines at KCI.  When the company finally decided to pull this segment of it’s business, KCI was one of the last airports to stop.  Dad was asked to carefully pack up his nicest looking machine to be sent to the Smithsonian.  He thought it would end up in storage somewhere.  He was quite surprised to find it on display the last time they were in DC.

Beautiful sunny day on the Mall.

Joe was anxious to show his brothers what the subway looked like.

So, speaking of WWII, on our trip to Arlington National Cemetery, we ran across a group from Honor Flight.  It was quite moving to see all of those men in wheelchairs paying their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

We had just studied the Colossal Heads of the Olmec, and there was a replica, right there on the lawn of one of the museums!

We ended out trip with Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  What a beautiful place!

Joe got in on some picture taking (apparently)

What a great trip… I hope Joe will always remember it!