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| The Lincoln Memorial, on a chilly and rainy winter night |
This shot encompasses the entire atmosphere of that evening spent exploring the monuments of the National Mall. All paths leading to this pinnacle, this building, both at the end of the paths and the end of our evening of admiring the monuments. Every surface glistening with the rain, reflecting the most intricate of plans for the most grand of buildings. Perceptibly devoid of warmth, yet still glowing in welcome. Silent in the awe-inspiring sight of this symbol of freedom and persistance. ...And, in a way, the most comforting feature – lacking in tourists!
This "lack" of course changed as we approached the monument. Tourists in the monument were snapping away at the seated Lincoln statue, huddling for warmth, and soaking in the meaning of the speeches engraven into the walls. We were soon to join them.
Dedicated in 1922, this monument honors the memory of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln (as all Americans probably learned in elementary school). The northern chamber preserves the words that Lincoln spoke on the day of his second inauguration. An inscription of the Gettysburg Address adorns the wall on the southern chamber. The statue of Lincoln assumes a commanding presence in the central hall, sitting at almost 20 feet in height. Overhead, an epitaph reminds all who enter that "in this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."
[For those that are picky about it, I should disclose that I added punctuation to the epitaph to make it an actual sentence. The actual inscription is also in all upper case letters.]
