In 1996, I visited Washington DC. I walked up the East Steps of the Capitol and into the Rotunda...

[Cooley Hurd]

45. I mirror you sadness...

The thing that made me fall in love with The United States was our history (ahem... not regarding Native American policy or Slavery). The spark that set it off was wandering thru the US Capitol in 1975 during my first trip to DC. Standing in the Rotunda and looking up at the incredible artwork lining the frieze. The statues of Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson. Imagining Jaqueline kneeling at the coffin of her husband, and Caroline slipping her little gloved hand under the flag-draped casket. Walking thru Statuary Hall, reminded that the great John Quincy Adams collapsed during an oratory and died on that spot. Looking down the shaft of the Senate Rotunda where they were to bury George Washington (Martha rejected the idea). Standing at the top of the steps of the North front, where so many of my heroes stood to take the Oath of Office (before Reagan changed it - he took his oath on the West front so he could face California - and it hasn't changed since).