Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Washington D.C.
“In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression – everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way – everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want – which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants –everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear – which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor – anywhere in the world.”
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt ~
Soon after this memorial opened, we were able to visit it. I remember being surprised at how the memorial was laid out, not a single encased sculpture like President Lincoln or President Jefferson, but rather what felt like a garden which draws you in to investigate it, providing you with both thought provoking words, from the President who lead this nation through the Great depression and most of World War II, and sculpture which captures the man, his wife, and the times.
President F.D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms, the only president to part with President Washington’s notion and example of serving only two terms. He will die before completing the fourth term, having served America through many of her darkest days, for twelve years.
The Memorial was designed by Lawrence Halprin, built from pinkish granite, with water elements to represent the Presidents love of water, and to help block noise.
Each Memorial has a different feeling, this one which we have been back to several times, draws you into thought and when available conversation. I so love Washington D.C., and American in general.
Eleanor Roosevelt
“The first United States delegate to the United Nations”
“The Fireside Chat”
“The Rural Couple” on the left and “The Breadline” on the right
A closer look at “The Rural Couple”
“The Funeral Cortege”
“Eleanor Roosevelt”
(The first sculpture of a First Lady in D.C. Memorial”
Kate will often pose herself interacting with sculptures; never meaning any disrespect. I believe it was here, getting in the breadline that she first began to do this – I wish I had that picture available, as I do not, at the moment, I asked her to duplicate the shot.
What a great afternoon — this very nice man stopped to ask me to settle an argument between him and his son-in-law regarding how many terms President Roosevelt served. It was a delightful chat!
