Over on the Arlington side of the river lies the Arlington National Cemetery, where you can contemplate the graves of famous Americans from John F. Kennedy to champion boxer Joe Louis. Several military memorials are found here too, including the Air Force memorial on Columbia Pike, and the Pentagon Memorial near the Pentagon building, remembering the lives lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
by Claire Flickr Creative Commons
Across the river there are more memorials scattered around the Tidal Basin. The Lincoln Memorial is an iconic US landmark, between the inspirational-sounding Constitution and Independence Avenues. Commemorating the 16th president of the US, it has an impressive columned building, pool, statue and park... a beautiful spot to visit. Circling the basin, you will come across the Franlin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the memorial for the leader of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Washington Monument. The Washington monument is an imposing obelisk, a memorial to the 1st US President George Washington, and the tallest structure in Washington D.C.
Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument
by Ed Yourdon Flickr Creative Commons
Between the Washington monument and the Capitol buildings, on the National Mall, is the lesser-known DC war memorial, which commemorates the citizens of DC who fought and died in World War I, and the Ulysses S. Grant memorial- Grant was a military commander during the civil war (int he Union) and later became the 18th president.
So if you are seeing the city by RV, take a trip around to the monuments of Washington D.C. They tell a story of the people that shaped the country, and serve as reminders of sacrifice and dedication.