US Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center - A mini museum TR - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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US Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center - A mini museum TR
I got a chance to go to this ‘pocket museum’ on my lunch hour. I mean no disrespect to anyone when I use this term or calling them mini museums – there are so many here in DC that I thought you might like to hear about them. They are ‘mini’ only in comparison to the ‘biggies’ here - -in example, the Smithsonian (SI) museums and facilities.
This place is different from the Navy Museum at the Navy Yard in Southeast DC , it is nearer to the National Mall, across Pennsylvania Ave from the National Archives. It is in a building right next to the Archives / Navy Memorial metro stop. In the front there is a plaza with a map of the world, flagpole masts, and sculptural panels. It is there to honor the men and women of the Sea Services to include Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. In the plaza is the statue of The Lone Sailor (C), which is their logo, as well. The Museum is in a building adjacent to the plaza.
Alongside one of the entrances is the sculpture / stained glass memorial to the USS Spikefish, that served in the Pacific in WWII in addition to performing in battle, she was the first submarine to record 10,000 dives. The window pays tribute to this vessel and crew as well as all submarines and submariners.
Once inside, you find the lobby with the flags of the services and “The Homecoming” statue. This artwork is simple, yet profound. For anyone who has ever experienced a homecoming of any kind, you will understand this expression. Just thinking about it gets me verklempt. OK.
From there, the staircase spirals down to the museum level, kind of taking you to a different world. On the glass wall of the staircase are panels depicting various vessels of the country that show a history of naval technology.
At the info desk is Jim O’Donnell, answering a visitor’s question.
At the bottom of the stairs is a stained glass of memorial for the Navy Nurse Corps. The current exhibition is honoring Navy Medicine. The graphics for the signs depict the US Navy Ship Mercy. She serves from the west coast.
The exhibition highlights the history and contributions of the Navy’s healers – The Medical Corps, The Dental Corps, The Nurse Corps, the Medical Service Corps, and the largest group, the Hospital Corps. The enlisted men and women of the Hospital Corps do everything from staffing shore clinics, sick bays on ships and subs, and serving as corpsmen (currently the job class is NEC HM-8404) for the Marines.
Many of these fine folks have also become civilian EMTs and paramedics after being discharged.
They have figures of some of the corps and I like this one that I show:
There is a display here that shows the different job insignia, so I zoomed in on the one for the current exhibit. Corpsman is one of the most decorated ratings in the Navy.
I mean no disrespect to anyone when I use this term or calling them mini museums –
I know what you mean! It is "mini" compared to most of the others. First time we went there we kind of went "This is IT?!"
Looking forward to going back next month though and looking up my dad and DH in the computer there . . . Dad is already listed in The Navy Log. United States Navy Memorial DH's log entry is still pending.
. . . now you've got me working on being sure I am detail oriented when it comes to my DC TR that I will be starting after our late June trip.
I would only add that the statue of the Lone Sailor is standing in the ocean overlooking the world to represent the Navy standing watch over the oceans and seas. The plaza is set up to signify the seven seas. Every year on a Sunday in April, the waters of the fountains are charged with water collected from each of these seas.
My DH and DS are both listed in the log. I hope to enter my father and myself one of these days.
I know what you mean! It is "mini" compared to most of the others. First time we went there we kind of went "This is IT?!"
Looking forward to going back next month though and looking up my dad and DH in the computer there . . . Dad is already listed in The Navy Log. United States Navy Memorial DH's log entry is still pending.
. . . now you've got me working on being sure I am detail oriented when it comes to my DC TR that I will be starting after our late June trip.
Yes, it is small in size, but kind of fitting -- ship / submarine sized!
I hadn't got to that part of my tour, yet, with the Navy Log.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start and pictures!!
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
I would only add that the statue of the Lone Sailor is standing in the ocean overlooking the world to represent the Navy standing watch over the oceans and seas. The plaza is set up to signify the seven seas. Every year on a Sunday in April, the waters of the fountains are charged with water collected from each of these seas.
My DH and DS are both listed in the log. I hope to enter my father and myself one of these days.
Looking forward to more of your TR.
Yes, the plaza is very nice. I understand the ceremony is moving, I hope to witness it sometime. I didn't get as many photos as I wanted in the plaza because it was raining. I hope to go back soon so I can get some more photos!
Yes, the plaza is very nice. I understand the ceremony is moving, I hope to witness it sometime. I didn't get as many photos as I wanted in the plaza because it was raining. I hope to go back soon so I can get some more photos!
If you know in advance when you are going back, give me a shout, I work at DOJ. Always up for lunch with a fellow Passporter!
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Okay. I think I remember it now. I left DC for an assignement near Fort Belvoir and came back to DC in 1989, but just never had the time to take a walk down there. So close, and yet so far!
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First time we went there we kind of went "This is IT?!" 
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that you live so close to all of these great places! Can't wait to hear more
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