memorial

About That Light Beam Last Night

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Dr J

Got tons of queries, understandably, about this last night starting around 9pm:

“anyone else send you pics of this huge beam of light that appears to be coming from the Pentagon?”

“Spotlight pointed straight into the sky near Pentagon City Metro with a chopper in the distance. Anyone know what’s going on?”

Fox5 reported that it was a practice for:

“This Wednesday, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation will illuminate its ‘Towers of Light’ tribute next to the Pentagon in honor of the lives lost in Flight 77 there on September 11, 2001.”

More photos: (more…)

If you wondered why a helicopter just landed at the Lincoln?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Kent Hoshiko

Thanks to Kent for sharing with us: “a pedestrian collapsed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the Park Police landed a helicopter to evacuate her in <5min, with National Guard/park police doing for and first response the entire time. Impressive." Hope the pedestrian is OK.

“Norton Calls for Closure of Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials During the Coronavirus”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter to the Acting Director of the National Park Service (NPS), David Vela, requesting the closure of the chambers of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials after reports that crowds had been forming at the sites over the weekend. Norton said her letter was motivated by concern for the safety of the general public and NPS employees during the coronavirus. (more…)

Yup, Folks Really Did Get Stuck on Top of the Washington Monument Saturday Afternoon.

By Prince Of Petworth

At 1:25pm Cassandra wrote us: “Hey @PoPville we’re stuck at the top of the Washington monument. Broken elevator. No end in sight.”

Folks were understandable incredulous.

Charles emailed us the photo above: “I wish I was kidding. Elevator issues strike again.”

The Washington Post quoted and NPS spokesman:

“Normal operations resumed after about an hour,” Litterst said. He said tours were on schedule, and he apologized for the inconvenience.”

Charles tells me that they were originally told they’d be taking the stairs down but they were able to finally get the elevator working again.

The Washington Monument reopened this past Thursday, “after a 37-month closure to modernize the elevator control system and construct a new security screening facility.

The re-opening of the Washington Monument is another example of how the Trump Administration is enhancing visitors’ experiences at national parks and public lands by better meeting critical infrastructure and maintenance needs.”

“Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to be Drained for Repairs, Cleaning”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

Ed. Note: The alternative is much worse.

From a press release:

“The National Park Service has begun draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in order to repair a broken water line, which has affected the water quality of the pool this spring. While it is empty, the pool will also be cleaned. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool should be refilled and operational again by the week of June 16. (more…)

Washington Monument expected to Reopen in August. (Knock Wood)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erinn Shirley

From the National Parks Service:

“Completion of the new security screening building for the Washington Monument has been delayed for mitigation of possibly contaminated soil in the construction area. The modernization of the monument’s elevator is substantially complete, with just final testing and certification of the safety systems remaining.

The potentially contaminated soil is below the ground surface and poses no risk to public health. The soil in question was likely introduced in the 1880s as the monument was being completed. Due to the necessary mitigation efforts, the reopening of the Washington Monument is now expected to take place in August. (more…)

View More Stories