Frozen

Logan Circle

Old and New

National Fire Dog Monument

DC's newest monument is not on the mall. It's downtown, at a working fire station. The National Fire Dog Monument was recently unveiled next to Engine Co. 2, near Judiciary Square. The monument honors "fire dogs," or arson dogs, trained to detect accelerants used in intentionally set fires. The sculptor is from Colorado, where the idea for the monument originated. An fire investigator there was inspired by the work of his dog Erin, and later Sadie. The dog depicted in the statue is modeled after Sadie. The funds for the memorial were raised by State Farm and a group called the American Human Association. The memorial is located on the east side of the Engine Co. 2, at 500 F Street NW.

Making the Best of a Challenging Situation

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Circa 1909, M Street at Connecticut Ave NW.

Memorial Monday: Taras Shevchenko

Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko is memorialized near Rock Creek Park, just west of Dupont Circle. Shevchenko is largely considered to be the father of modern literature and language in the Ukraine. During his lifetime, what we now know as Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire. Their modern independence dates to 1991. Much of his writing was political in nature and is underwritten on this statue as "The Bard of Ukraine." Shevchenko was also known for his paintings and etchings. 

This memorial was authorized by Congress in 1960 and dedicated in 1964 on the 150th anniversary of his birth. The bronze statuette was sculpted by fellow Ukrainian artist Leo Mol. It is one of several representations of Shevchenko by Mol. The memorial is located near the corner of 22nd and P Streets NW.

Memorial Wednesday: Zero Milestone

Just after you pass through Richmond, VA, northbound on interstate 95, you'll see a sign declaring that Washington is 100 miles ahead of you. If you're headed to Chevy Chase, maybe a few miles more, or Bolling AFB, a few miles less. But what point is the state of Virginia measuring from? That point would be rather specific; the monumental, and little known Zero Milestone.

Zero Milestone is a precise point in downtown Washington designated by a stone marker. Regarding road distance from Washington DC, all locations in the U.S. are measured from this specific stone maker.

Zero Milestone sits just due south of the White House. This stone was dedicated in 1923 after a temporary marker was put in place in 1919. It was the spot from which an Army convoy departed on its first transcontinental convoy of U.S. military vehicles over the Lincoln Highway. The route of Lincoln Highway was one of the first to traverse America coast to coast (now, much of present day US Route 30).

In this sense, the Zero Milestone was a recognition of the growing influence of the car on American life and culture. Its dedication came just years after the passage of the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916, the first federal highway funding bill to pass through Congress. And to a point, all road distances to Washington DC are measured from this singular mile marker. The original, Zero Milestone. By the way, the Army convoy did complete the 3,200 mile trip, in one day short of two months -- July 7 to September 6, 1919. The most famous of its participants; future President Dwight Eisenhower. 

Zero Milestone

Memorial Tuesday: The Boy Scouts' Weird Memorial

Heck, let's just make this memorial week. As I said yesterday there are so many in the city, I could do this forever.  

Just south of the White House, on the 15th Street side of the Ellipse, is one of the weirdest monuments in DC. I can't call it ugly because, well, it's not ugly; but it is peculiar. 

I was never a scout (I went to one cub meeting as a child, but when I found out we weren't the ones eating, --errr, selling-- the cookies, I just left.). But, if I were a scout, and I was asked to design a scout memorial, I'd say include something like, I dunno, a scout building a fire, or helping an elderly person cross the street, or fording a river. You know, scout stuff.

The last imagery I would think to incorporate would be a mix of classic and modern sculptures including vague half naked representations of "American Manhood and Womanhood" along side the ideal scout. But that's what happened. Actually, the idealized American adults are behind the scout. They're supposedly delivering the best of human ideals, honed over the ages, to the new generation. The young scout, walking stick in hand, is "striding into the future" full of hope that all great things in America live on in perpetuity.

Some very idealistic, allegorical images that you might guess came out of the Cold War era. And you'd be pretty close; the statue was built in 1964. There is an unkempt pool and limited seating as well. I've got to assume it'll look a little better this summer after a scrub down and when there is actually some water in it.

The site of the memorial is not accidental. It marks the location of the very first Boy Scout National Jamboree (a very, very large gathering held about every 4 years). There's also a World Jamboree, which will be held in the U.S. for the first time ever in 2019. Maybe they'll spruce up the memorial and pool by then. This is a fun series. I'l see if I can keep it going all week. Stay tuned.

Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau

In 1780 the French commander Rochambeau was 55 and on the verge of retirement when he entered the fray of the American Revolutionary War, on the side of the colonies. After spending nearly a year aiding the Continental Army in the northeast, Rochambeau's troops joined those of General George Washington's in the war's decisive battle at Yorktown, Virginia. After returning to France he served during the early years of the French Revolution and finally retired in 1792.

This statue is in Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, southwestern corner. It's a replica of a statue originally cast in France. The French commissioned this replica Rochambeau piece in order to help solidify relations after tensions arose between the two countries during the Spanish American War. It was dedicated in 1902.

"Gandhi-warming" Commemorates Non-violent Indian Leader

Yesterday was a mild and lovely winter day here in DC. It was also the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's death. The Indian independence leader was shot dead on January 30, 1948. He is widely regarded as a transcendent ambassador of political change through non-violent civil disobedience.

The gandhiwarmer group formed last year in order to recognize his compassionate and tireless work by adorning a statue of Gandhi in Union Square, New York City. In addition to hats and scarves for the statue, volunteers also knitted additional hats, gloves, scarves and more for those in need. The NY event was a success and gandhiwarmer decided to have the celebration again, this time enhancing a different statue, here in DC; near the Embassy of India in Dupont. 

It was a very lovely gathering with quiet music and a heap of extra knitted wares left at the base of the statue. The scarf and hat were removed from the statue by the organizers before everyone left, but the candles, flowers and string of small yarn poms remained. Very classy. Fitting small tribute to a great human being.

Gen. George B. McClellan

This statue is over 100 years old. Overlooks Dupont and much of Northwest from a high perch at the corner of Columbia Rd and Connecticut Ave NW. Was just involved in a rather extensive renovation and cleaning. Looking good (and very green) now.

Victims of Communism Memorial

At New Jersey and Massachusetts Avenues, NW. Erected by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

There is a virtual museum in the works to accompany the memorial, which has been on Mass Ave near Union Station since summer of 2007. The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1998.

And of course the obvious question: What about the Worldwide Victims of Capitalism Memorial? Maybe after the recession/depression is over. Maybe not. WTO, IMF, IADB, NAFTA, CAFTA, HMO, NYSE, IRBD; an alphabet soup of zero sum games. A few winners, lots of losers and many victims.

Andrew Jackson's Place

16th and Park NW

Yep, you guessed it, Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi. Right here in Mt Pleasant.