| Page Views: 7,330 Last Visit to United States Navy Memorial: October, 2004 | United States Navy Memorial by matcrazy1 - last update: Mar 5, 2006 |
United States Navy Memorial is located in downtown Washington, DC. So, I am a little bit surprised to find it as a seperate location in VT-base. Anyway, it gives me more place to share my adventures from the US capital :-).
I had a great pleasure to see the memorial and this statue of the Lone Sailor together with my wife and the two VT-friends:
- Kathy from Dallas, Texas (Kodi01)
- Chris from Atlanta, Georgia (balfor)
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The memorial and my military service The memorial reminded me my own military experiences. I have a lot of warm feelings and sympathy for people in military uniforms unless they are forced to serve in an army which is out of control of the nation, like it worked in my case.
Well, my two months in Soviet-style "Polish" army in late 1980' was a waste of time. I've learned that nothing worked well in that strange army especially minds of higher rank officers :-). I am sure it has changed since Poland regained independance and became NATO member in 1999. |
The memorial and my foundest memory The Warsaw Pact army taught us mainly how to march, mostly unsuccesfully as we didn't like to march again and again. The soldier's low morale was caused by the simple fact that no-one treated this Warsaw Pact army as the one of own country. Maybe that's why our officers had orders to teach us marching instead of shooting.
About 120 soldiers in my army unit including me were forced to take an oath of allegiance to "socialist Poland" and swear to defend it against "imperialistic rulers" or something those lines. But during the very solemn ceremony, in front of many guests including one general, when the officer had read the words of the oath about "standing strongly to defend peace in brotherly ally with the Soviet Army" no-one repeated his words. This silence followed by happy laugh of our families is my foundest memory.
The next day the political officers of our unit ordered each of us to sign the words of oath. At first we refused although they asked us very much. Finally one of them proposed and asked us to sign it one for another. And we did so. Soon later the text of oath was totally changed.
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| Pros: | "Location in downtown Washington, DC" | | In A Nutshell: | "Go to see it!" |
matcrazy1's United States Navy Memorial Travel Tips
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Tips: 1 - Photos: 5 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | Transportation
Tips: 1 - Photos: 5 | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 matcrazy1's United States Navy Memorial Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for matcrazy1 about United States Navy Memorial | | | | |
gilabrand Sat Mar 31, 2007 23:36 UTC
Think I missed this sailor fellow. Maybe next time. | starship Thu Mar 22, 2007 14:02 UTC
Thanks for sharing info. & pictures about this Navy Memorial. My husband & I got married when he was a sailor -- no wonder we both love being at sea! | traveldave Wed Mar 21, 2007 15:32 UTC
Yes, it is strange that this memorial has a separate location in VT. | JLBG Fri Jan 26, 2007 05:48 UTC
I wonder if that huge lonely sailor could jump on the Segway! Ot better if the Segway would be strong enough to handle him! |
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