‘happy for the flag’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
A human being can only eat so many hot dogs and hamburgers around the grill with family and friends. So here’s a helpful roundup of some food events that will get you out the door and give you something to do other than wondering if the steaks are done with Uncle Barry manning the grill.
By Ben H. Rome
‘Rolling Thunder Salute, Memorial Day 2010 Washington DC’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’
Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o’er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Dream of battled fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking.
-Sir Walter Scott
Many thanks to all of our active servicemen and women, reservists, and veterans who put their lives on the line for this country every day. While we enjoy the Memorial Day holiday (which around here is the official start to “tourist season”), we do so in the knowledge that we live in a free country protected by those who volunteer their lives to pay that price. So with a heartfelt thanks, we salute you for your dedication and service.
Linger just a while longer before heading into the shortened work day with some great photographic captures from the weekend. Continue reading
By Dave Levy
‘Arlington National Cemetery – Quiet Watch – 7-19-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’
Memorial Day weekend is not just about cooking out and beautiful spring weather here in the District. If you want to take a moment to take in some of the sights and sounds of remembrance, it’s worth the time to travel across the river and a walk through Arlington Cemetery. One of the most important additions to the fields of memorials for this holiday weekend is the small American flags that are placed near each of the 350,000 headstones throughout the cemetery.
Yesterday, more than 1,500 members of the Army’s “Old Guard” and other service branches spent the time to complete the task at hand. This “Flags In” ceremony has been an annual observance since 1948, and the flags will remain through the weekend until being removed before it opens on the morning of Tuesday, June 1.
By Kirk
‘Beer and burger’
courtesy of ‘Magnus D’
I hope that you’ll grill this weekend. To me, that’s what Memorial Day is all about. I don’t dream of stepping on any family tradition or intruding in any masculine domain by suggesting what you should grill and how you should grill it. That’s counter productive, in my mind. Besides, I’m no grill master, myself. I’ll leave that to better and braver souls. I want to talk to you about what you should drink this weekend. It’s easy just to run out to the grocery and pick up a 12 pack of Bud Light and some cheap white wine for your Memorial Day bar-b-que. In fact, that’s probably what most of America will do on Monday, but most of America won’t enjoy their tasty beverage nearly as much as you will, oh informed reader that follows my advice. Continue reading
By Max
Rolling Thunder ’09, Washington, DC by Nicole Aguirre
Memorial Day weekend is one of my favorite times of the year in DC. With so many monuments dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives defending our country, our city fills up faster than the Titanic with people of all different ages, from all around the country, from all walks of life. It’s a time when people put aside their differences and focus on what they have in common, a love and sense of patriotism for our great nation.
This week’s photo shows two people from two walks of life, brought together by a park bench and some shade. According to the photographer (who had to wait for a gap in the pedestrians to get this shot), these two were “leaning into each other most of the time” as they watched the Rolling Thunder rumble by. What I love about this photo is that it makes the viewer wonder, wonder what the couple talked about all afternoon, wonder what war memories each of them has, wonder how their lives have differed to this point and even wonder how they’ve been the same. As someone who was born on the 4th of July and longs for the days when our country’s values were intact, this photo is moving and reminds me that there is a lot we can learn from our elders. Great capture, Nicole.
By Ben H. Rome
‘Memorial Day’ courtesy of ‘(¯`’·._.{-KrS«-»NrY-}._.·’`¯)’
We’re not late with the Flashback, honest.
It’s just taking us a little to get up to speed after such a glorious and busy weekend – Rolling Thunder, fireworks, parades, fairs, cookouts – all heralding the ‘unofficial’ start to summer in the District and the opening of the tourista floodgates.
Fantastic photos by all our pool contributors and others! So to get over your ‘hump day,’ take a moment to scroll through the shots and scenes from this past holiday weekend and let that coffee soak on in…
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