Prior to this year’s sojourn, having only spent four days in DC during last year’s trip, there was still much to see, too much! Managing a day of sight-seeing during this year’s brief visit, we decided that catching a glimpse of our nation’s founding documents was a must.
For all of my complaints about Washington D.C., I must admit that there is a thrill attached to the free price tag on the many incredible sites, tours and museums in our nation’s capitol. Finally, I thought, “this is my idea of my tax dollars at work”, sweet indeed.
But then, the entire place does belong to us, the people. All of it; the Capitol, the White House, all of the historic monuments belong to us. Those are our streets that we’re marching on.
The experience of laying eyes on the original copies of our Constitution, The Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, and other founding documents is not to be missed. The words therein are somehow animated in an unmistakable and powerful way.
Surprisingly, in addition to our nation’s greatest documents, we found that the exhibit currently features England’s Magna Carta of 1297 as well – truly awe inspiring. The overall experience is highly recommended for all Americans, all freedom loving peoples.
With documents penned by Jefferson, letters written by Washington, John Hancock’s majestic signature right there inches away one gains a deeper appreciation for the times our founders lived in, what they struggled through, the challenges they overcame and the honor in their words.
The Declaration is in particularly poor shape and the entire final passage is virtually invisible to the naked eye but I had to see those closing words, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” I was determined, hurriedly searching as I held my ground hovering over the document. Having come all this way, I had to see those few precious words. Finally locating them, reading them directly from the worn parchment seemed to make the whole journey worthwhile. It was literally chilling.
Imagine Jefferson’s thoughts as he gave life to the words in that bold proclamation. He had to know that there would be no turning back, that he was risking everything, as did each one of the fifty-six brave souls who officially attached their names to the document. Words have meaning, particularly words of defiance in the face of tyranny.
Put yourself in that time and place in history, would you measure up to the task?
Suddenly, in this light, protests, rallies and marching on the U.S. Capitol take on a different meaning. Doing our civic duty, exercising our rights, openly defying a government which has clearly run-amok is the least we can do. Our efforts, while notable and necessary, obviously pale by comparison.
I was reminded of this gift that has been granted to each one of us as Americans. Surely, the awesome sacrifice by not just the men and women who fought to create mankind’s greatest experiment but those who came after them, and those who are out there putting their lives on the line today, presents us with a responsibility. It demands an obligation on our part.
For me, it is a simple premise - they left us something worthy of preserving and defending. They declared that man is free and has certain inalienable rights, that he is not the pawn of self-proclaimed rulers. They carved out a means for self governance, creating a brilliant framework to sustain it. The rest is up to us.
Most appropriately but by sheer coincidence, upon exiting the building we stumbled right into the front end of a 9-11 march making its way toward the capitol. We filmed the entirety of the relatively small procession, cheering on a few thousand patriots as they marched by us. Led by re-enactors with a color guard and fife and drum corps, the participants were no less enthusiastic than the much larger crowd that would assemble the next day.
Always up for a little celebration of our rights, we spontaneously joined in the march, meeting fellow patriots from around the country along the way.
All in all, it was a beautiful morning in D.C. People taking it to the streets, the public square…they keep coming and keep coming. I never seem to get enough, I’ll be right there with ya.
More to come…
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