US Navy Memorial Plaza — Attraction in Washington

U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL - This larger-than-life, bronze statue looks like a lot of seaman no doubt, but it sure is a reminder of my Dad. Pea coat, duffle bag and all. He served on a Cruiser as a boilerman, the USS Montpelier, in WW II. (I inherited a beautiful handle he made on board ship for a large Bowie-style knife, fashioned from plastic in the instrument panel of a Japanese suicide plane and aluminum from the fuselage.)

The sculptor of this sailor (the title is copy written) served in the Navy in World War II, assigned as an illustrator for Navy training manuals. On the risers of the steps in the background are words to a Christian hymn, IF I recall correctly, and somewhere (perhaps inscribed on the granite circle), dare I say it!, A PRAYER TO GOD. Written in stone? Yes, I think so. What you would call the museum portion of the Memorial is below ground.

This sight was an unkempt vacant lot when I arrived in D.C. Hard to believe now. It's only a couple blocks straight down from USDOL where I worked. A lot of junkie old bldgs. were demolished between the Navy Memorial and USDOL housing places like a sandwich shop and cheap liquor store. In place of these "premier" establishments up went a beautiful new HQ for the Embassy of Canada (a marked departure from anything done in the past as this is far, far away from "Embassy Row" on Mass. Ave.), new shops and expensive apts./condos. Janet Reno (remember her, U.S. Attorney General?) lived here for a time.

Most recently the "Newseum" the only private museum in the Mall area, and maybe ever, relocated from Arlington (where it was hugely popular) next to the Embassy. It's an entertaining museum unlike any archive we've ever been to. For one thing you can make a video recording of yourself reporting the news sitting at a desk reading from a script.They play it back on an overhead monitor. The only charge is if you want to take a copy of the video home. Pretty neat. Try it,...

A great open and under-the-sky memorial to US navy, the Plaza has several historic buildings and tiny monuments all around. It's sort of 'on your way' in Washington as you move from one side of the city to another, jumping from some history to other history! Parking can be a challenge. I recommend the city's absolutely fantastic subway instead. There's an out nearby.

Get off and walk around. Take in the surroundings. There's several government buildings of note within a two-block radius. There's also a few eating option for you or your kids, if anyone's hungry.

A word of caution, however: The area teems with homeless persons. Some of them can be drunk (even during daytime) and can be aggressive. It's best you stay away - far away or to another side of the street. Cops are never too far but they only intervene if called upon. So, note where the cops are and remember to signal to them if someone tries to get...

There is an interesting memorial to the US Navy on Pennsylvania Avenue just past the National Archives building that is worth a quick look-see if you are in the area.

In the centre of the memorial is a granite sea map of the world surrounded by a circular structure followed by what seemed like a pool and fountain. However, this was turned off during our winter time visit. On the backside or the circular Memorial Plaza, you can find bronze reliefs of naval war scenes and there is a lone statue of a US Navy serviceman statue nearby as well.

Overall, this is a decent memorial but would probably be better to visit during warmer months of the year so you can taken in the effect of the fountains and with the trees in the area...