2021 Bang Reunion Attractions

Here are some great attractions to visit before or after the reunion or during your free time on Saturday:

The National Mall It's all here! The national Mall is filled with many many monuments, memorials and museums in one beautiful location. And... it's only 3 miles from our hotel! A large map of the Mall can be reached via the above link. The map key shows the locations of all the attractions. Seeing the Washington Monument rise majestically to the sky, surrounded by the stately U.S. Capitol Building at one end and the dignified Lincoln Memorial at the other, it’s hard not to think of America’s history. The National Mall is America’s most-visited national park. Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard” and you’ll find inspiring monuments, memorials and many, many of the Smithsonian's world renown museums often referred to as "the nation's attic.

The World War II Memorial is on the National Mall only 3 miles from our hotel. The World War II Memorial honors the service of sixteen million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the support of countless millions on the home front, and the ultimate sacrifice of 405,399 Americans. On May 29, 2004, a four-day “grand reunion” of veterans on the National Mall culminated in the dedication of this tribute to the legacy of “The Greatest Generation.” Twenty-four bronze bas-relief panels flank the ceremonial entrance. To many, these panels stir memories as they tell the story of America's experience in the war. Granite columns representing each U.S. state and territory at the time of World War II ring an impressive pool with water shooting high into the air. Quotes, references to theaters, campaigns, and battles, and two massive victory pavilions chronicle the efforts Americans undertook to win the war. A wall of 4,048 gold stars reminds all of the price over 400,000 Americans paid to win that victory.

The Lincoln Memorial Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, just as the Civil War was ending. By March of 1867, Congress incorporated the Lincoln Monument Association to build a memorial to the slain 16th president. Architect Henry Bacon modeled the Lincoln Memorial after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Lying between the north and south chambers is the central hall containing the solitary figure of Lincoln sitting in contemplation. The statue took four years to complete. The sculptor decided that the special qualities found in the sixteenth president were his strength combined with his compassionate nature. Lincoln is depicted as a worn but strong individual who had endured many hardships. Lincoln's hands are positioned in a manner that displayed his two leading qualities. One of the president's hands is clenched, representing his strength and determination to see the war through to a successful conclusion. The other hand is a more open, slightly more relaxed hand representing his compassionate, warm nature.

Historic National Museum of African American History and Culture is located on the National Mall just 3 miles from our hotel. The museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. Established by an Act of Congress in 2003, the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is prominently located next to the Washington Monument and is the culmination of decades of efforts to establish a national museum that promotes and highlights the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected close to 37,000 objects and nearly 170,000 individuals have become charter members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial and is also about 3 miles from our hotel. It's construction and related issues have been the source of controversies, some of which have resulted in additions to the memorial complex. This is reflected in the fact that the Vietnam memorial is now made up of three parts: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, completed first and the best-known part of the memorial; The Three Soldiers; and the Vietnam Women's Memorial. The wall originally listed 57,939 names when it was dedicated in 1982; however other names have since been added and as of May 2018 there were 58,320 names, including eight women. The number of names on the wall is different than the official number of U.S. Vietnam War deaths, which is 58,220 as of May 2018. The names inscribed are not a complete list of those who are eligible for inclusion as some names were omitted at the request of families. Those who are declared dead are denoted by a diamond, and those who are status unknown are denoted with a cross. When the death of one who was previously missing is confirmed, a diamond is superimposed over the cross. If the missing were to return alive, which has never occurred to date, the cross is to be circumscribed by a circle.

The Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial built between 1939 and 1943, under the sponsorship of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. By 1901 it became apparent that the site was well suited for another high-profile memorial since it sat directly south of the White House. A design competition was held for a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt in 1925. The winning design consisted of a half-circle memorial situated next to a circular basin. The plan was never funded by Congress and was not built. The Memorial's chance came in 1934 when President Franklin Roosevelt, an admirer of Jefferson, initiated the project. Construction began on December 15, 1938, and the cornerstone was laid on November 15, 1939, by Franklin Roosevelt. The Jefferson Memorial was officially dedicated by President Roosevelt on April 13, 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birthday. At that time, the bronze statue of Jefferson had not yet been finished due to material shortages during World War II. The statue that was installed at the time was a plaster cast painted to look like bronze. The finished bronze statue was installed in 1947.

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