National Memorial Park is one of the more interesting and newer cemeteries in the Washington, DC area. And it’s worth visiting.
The parks many acres of mostly open a rolling hills, in nearby Falls Church, Virginia are tranquil and relaxing. And with all the sculptures, if you aren’t paying attention, you might think you were transported to the National Gallery of Art sculpture garden or the Hirshorne sculpture garden.
There are numerous benches where you can sit and reflect, and I assume no one would mind if you brought a blanket to relax on the grass.
I recently took a drive through the park and found some great pieces of art including the:
- Four Chaplains Memorial, resembling a flying white bird at the top of the park’s entrance driveway, by abstract expressionist, Constantino Nivola.
- September 11, 2001 Memorial - a 7-panel marble memorial surrounding a fountain dedicated to those who died as a result of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Six of the panels list all of the names of the people who died, including victims in the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and the passengers and crew members aboard the three airline flights.
- Babyland, a small heart-shaped grove dedicated to infants and small children who died before their time.
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- Sunchaser by Carl Milles, who worked in Auguste Rodin’s Paris studio, and has over a dozen major fountains and statues across the United States.
- A piece very similar to the famous 15th-century white marble sculpture of the dead Jesus lying in the arms of his mother, Michelangelo’s Pieta.
- The highlight is probably, The Fountain of Faith, also by Carl Milles. With its many human figures dancing in the spay of numerous water fountains, its make for a tranquil place to stop.
There are other statures and monuments around the park - some Victorian, others modern, and a few, a bit gaudy and ostentatious.
The list of notable internees includes four U.S. Congressmen, two professional baseball players, three pro football players, and Frances Foster, the actress who played Vera on the soap opera The Guiding Light from 1985 to 1994. But the focal points of the park is its many memorials and statues.
National Memorial Park 7400 Lee Hwy Falls Church, Virginia (map it) 703-573-8800
Dates and Times - Weekdays - 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. , weekends 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission - FREE
Nearest Metro Subway Station - West Falls Church - Orange line, then a 2-mile walk.
Parking - Free.
Images - from personal collection 2008 - Jon Rochetti
And no, I’m not talking about the Presidential race, but the 70th annual running of the Washington, DC Soap Box Derby Race.
In 1938, Norman Rocca beat 223 other racers to win the first Soap Box Derby Race held in Washington, DC. The race was held on New Hampshire Avenue, but later moved to run down Capitol Hill, along the Capitol Building on Constitution Avenue.
The Soap Box Derby is open to racers aged 8 to 17, who custom build and race non-motorized, gravity powered cars. Regional winners move on to the annual classic race in Akron in late July.
Every year, the race requires the permission of Congress to block off the course so, by Act of Congress, the race is one of the only races sanctioned by Congress.
Soap Box Derby Constitution Avenue at the Capitol between 1st and Louisiana Ave. Washington, DC (map it)
Date and Time Sunday, June 22, 2008 - 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tickets FREE - no tickets required for spectators.
NearestMetrosubway station - Federal Center - Blue and Orange lines, Archives - Yellow and Green lines, Union Station - Red line
With $40,000 in prize money up for grabs, not to mention bragging rights, the barbequed meats served at the always-popular annual National Capital Barbecue Battlein Washington, DC is sure to please.
Besides thousands of pounds of Carolina chicken, Texas brisket (my favorite), Memphis ribs, pulled pork and that great barbeque smell, there’s also:
Over 30 live bands on 3 stages, including headliners Roy Ayers, Leon Russell and Chuck Brown
Cooking demos and celebrity chefs
Lots of food sampling
National Pork BBQ Championship contest
BBQ marketplace for all types of sauces, rubs, marinades and more.
Children’s play area
So what’s my favorite place in the U.S. for barbeque? I love the brisket at Rudy’s Bar-B-Que in San Antonio, Texas. If you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss it. Locally, I still haven’t found the perfect BBQ in DC…but I’m still looking.
The Spirit Cruise Line is a Washington, DC floating landmark that offers lunch, dinner, moonlight and Sunday brunch cruises aboard the Spirit of Washington. Cruise around the Potomac and Old Town Alexandria while enjoying the sites, or take the Spirit of Mount Vernon on a half-day round trip cruise to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.
The 3 indoor decks of the ship are surrounded by windows, and provide room for over 500 dining guests. Each level also has a dance floor and popular dance music spun by the ship’s DJ. Lunch and dinner cruises usually have live music reviews, that get the crowd involved and up to dance.
The 2-hour Potomac Cruise offers views of the Washington Monument, Fort McNair, planes taking off and landing at National Airport, colonial era Admiral’s Row town houses and Old Town Alexandria.
The Mount Vernon Cruise, takes the same route and down the Potomac to Mount Vernon, but does not include dining.
All cruises include a multi-item buffet dinner, except for the Moonlight Cruise which includes light “hors doeuvres” (wings, pizza, cheese and veggies, meatballs).
The dinner menu on the Potomac Cruise includes roast beef and smoked ham carving stations, roast chicken, salmon, vegetable lasagna, and jambalaya, along with seasonal vegetables, sides, and dessert.
My experience on a Spirit dinner cruise was enjoyable, as long as you set your expectations. First, go primarily for the views; yet most people seem to never step outside on to the deck. Second, the rather typical buffet offerings are nicely prepared, yet rather bland and uninspired. But again, they are cooking for the masses, so don’t expect five-star food.
The seating arrangements can be a bit cramped, with tables closely positioned near each other.
Dates and Times - Daily summer cruises, including lunch, early dinner, dinner & dancing, and moonlight cruises. No Mount Vernon cruises on Mondays.
Tickets - Lunch and dinner Potomac Cruises range from - $32.90 - $81.90 and are available online. Discounts for kids under 13 are available. Cash bar for beer, wine and mixed drinks.
Mount Vernon cruise include round trip boat ride (1 hours each way) to Mount Vernon, and included admission to the estate, and 3 hours to tour. Food is not included on this cruise. Adults - $38.95, $31.95 for kids 6-11, under 6 are free. An onboard snack bar is available.
Try to check the weather forecast for the day of your cruise before making reservations, as a rainy day will not enhance your experience.
Both ships are handicap-accessible. Must be 21+ for the moonlight cruises.
Nearest Metro Subway Station - Waterfront, Green line, then a 3-block walk.
Parking - paid lot and limited metered street parking is available.
Images - from personal collection - 2008 - Jon Rochetti,
