Army of the Republic Memorial
There are so many memorials in DC, big and small, that many go unnoticed or are rejected as unremarkable and not worth investigating. There is a memorial that I "discovered" recently, one that I must have walked by countless times.
What's even weirder is that I was taken with birds perched way on high above the memorial as they sat on the curved, metal street lamps that light the area. I was thinking how rarely I look up as I walk the streets. So I stopped to snap pictures of those birds. I fancied them as holding court on life below and I was glad to peek into their world for a moment.
When I got home and looked at the pictures, the location was listed as The Stephenson Grand Army of the Republic Memorial. What was that? I never noticed that structure, not that day nor for years before that day.
It turns out that this is a monument dedicated to Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson, a Civil War surgeon, who founded a fraternal organization for Union veterans. My curiosity was piqued! After spending some time investigating this man, I was reminded how much rich history is all around me if I would just stop a moment and look at modest statues and memorials.
So while I patted myself on the back for noticing those birds on high, I lost focus on what was right at eye level, what was always there if I would just have taken a moment to look. And I wondered if a tour company would find it useful to offer tours of less-visited sites in the city. I'd be interested.