Exploring American History, Wednesday, September 18, 2024

[heroic_jawline]

"I know that Washington, DC, might not be particularly exotic for you," Steve began with a smile, "because it's so close to the island, but it is the nation's capital and is therefore filled with historical monuments."

"We'll be taking a break from the Revolutionary War and going with World War I," Tony added. "A brand new sculpture that someone wanted to see."

"I'm excited about all new sculptures that don't feature me," Steve said with a tiny little smile, "but yes, my father died in World War I, so I have a personal interest in seeing that conflict memorialized properly."

"So, let's get there and we'll turn you all loose," Tony replied. "And maybe there will be time for a half-smoke too."

"Just please don't get them from the stands by the Washington Monument," Steve said, sounding disapproving. "They mark the prices up to prey on tourists."

Comments

Admire the new memorial!

[heroic_jawline]

Brand new, so most tourists haven't discovered it yet. Feel free to ask Steve and Tony questions about World War I.

Re: Admire the new memorial!

[mustbeawitch]

Lydia was not admiring the memorial.

Lydia was staring into space trying to process the implication that: 1) there had been a war that involved the entire world and 2) there had been more than one of them.

On the bright side civilization still seemed to be standing, so...there was that.

Re: Admire the new memorial!

[heroic_jawline]

"You look like you might have a few things to ask about," Steve said with a tiny, sympathetic smile.

Re: Admire the new memorial!

[mustbeawitch]

"The whole world was in a war?" Lydia more or less whispered. "And there was more than one of them?"

Re: Admire the new memorial!

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded. "The first one was fought in Europe," he said, "but because Great Britain had so many colonies across the globe, it became all-encompassing. It was a little like dominoes falling: one country declared war against another and because of different treaties and alliances other nations had to choose sides. It lasted four years and all but wiped out that entire generation of young men."

Re: Admire the new memorial!

[mustbeawitch]

"O-oh," Lydia said. "And--and then there was another one?" God be good.

Re: Admire the new memorial!

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded again. "That's the one I fought in," he said. "That one truly was world wide, with both European and Pacific theaters. We'll spend time at the World War II memorial for that one."

A memorial that didn't have a spot about the Howling Commandos, if Steve could swing it. That would just be awkward.

"We learned belatedly that if you really rub your victory into your defeated enemy's face, it fosters a generation of resentment that leads to war very soon afterwards."