There’s so much going on in America today, it can be overwhelming. If that’s the way you’re feeling, I can heartily recommend a trip to our nation’s capital.
I guarantee—it will restore your appreciation for this great nation.
You’ll find that there’s a grand new addition to D.C.’s landmarks, a 100-foot marble statue of Donald Trump, sporting a feather in his cap and affectionately calling it “Macaroni.” As part of this spectacle, surround-sound speakers have the President, himself, singing the “Yankee Doodle” song. Very inspiring.
Just a few days after the Trump inauguration, my wife and I visited Washington, D.C., and got to see its most notable attractions. Though we loved the trip, we felt a bit bad that we hadn’t deferred it until springtime, when the aroma of cherry trees blossoming on the Potomac create an enchanting fragrance. Despite the cold—brrrrr—we enjoyed a wonderful and magical few days.
Truly unforgettable, there’s so much to see and do in our nation’s capital. One could never tire of the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, the White House and the Capitol. And no one can deny that there’s a special feeling that one gets, standing at the base of the Washington Monument, looking out over the expansive National Mall and reminiscing about the greatness of America’s history.
Well, it might have been difficult, in previous years, to have chosen the attraction that left the biggest impression. This year, that’s changed; there’s definitely one that will take your breath away and monopolize your memory. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip.
Behind that magnificent statue of Trump, sits the newly-created “January 6 Day of Love Memorial.” Wow, what an incredible exhibit. We paid the $15 entry fees and got to hear our National Parks Service guide talk about the “Day of Love” and the biggest tourism event of 2021—when a couple thousand excited Americans got a front-seat-view of the workings of our government, at its very best, and helped celebrate the peaceful transfer of power from the old Trump administration to the new, Biden presidency.
It's hard to even express it in words. That attraction gave us the most amazing feelings of pride and gratitude for our great country. So much like those moments when we’ve thrilled to see “Old Glory paint the breeze,” this was one of those experiences that sent little rapturous shivers down our spines.
Our hearts, again, swelled with pride as we watched—along with other enthusiastic visitors—a 15-minute documentary film about that event, viewing, with a new sense of God and country, that sacred Jan. 6 congregation of some of America’s finest people. The documentary would make any citizen proud, reflecting the meaning of real patriotism and our worship of the American Dream.
The documentary’s reenactment scenes showed the tourists’ playfully dueling with the Capitol Police, and artfully conveyed the amazing sense of comradery that ruled that day. The film’s narrator explained how the happy enthusiasm at that event actually created such an intense warmth that the Capitol air temperature had risen to a level that damaged the doors and windows of the building.
It’s incredible to stand in the shadow of that Capitol and feel the loving energy that had ruled that very special day. Just outside the theater, there were busts of the famous patriots who had helped create that joyous event: Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers and Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, are sculpted in bigger-than-life, solid marble, and the man referred to as “The Shaman”—the guy with the body paint and buffalo horns—occupies the most prominent spot.
There is also a special plaque, remembering Ashley Babbitt, who slipped on a banana peel and died during the happy festivities.
There’s just no way to express the pride of seeing those special moments memorialized in stone and on film. I’m no Rick Steves, but I can tell you: Your world travels won’t be complete until you’ve experienced the majesty of the new January 6 Day of Love Memorial.
Luckily, you’ll be able to relive the memories of your visit by taking advantage of a variety of souvenirs. A boxed, plastic replica gift set of the four statues is available for only $99, and copies of the documentary film are a friendly $56. For those of you who are music lovers, there’s a CD of Lee Greenwood, Elon Musk and Trump singing a trio of “Yankee Doodle,” accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band.
Incidentally, the NPS guide also mentioned, in passing: “Next year, there will be a framed copy of the New January 6 Inquiry’s findings—something that will help those who have misunderstood the greatness of that wonderful day in our history.”
And of course, you can buy your copy of the sacred Trump Bible for its standard as-seen-on-TV price.
Just make your checks payable to Donald J. Trump.
The author is a retired businessman, novelist, columnist and former Vietnam-era Army assistant public information officer. He resides in Riverton with his wife, Carol, and their adorable and ferocious dog “Poppy.”