You made it to the Weekend! Hooray!
We’re sure you are particularly excited for this weekend because it is Memorial Day Weekend and you have an entire extra day to relax. In today’s installment of Dollars & Sense we are focusing on remembering those that fought and died for our country in war. It’s the real focus of Memorial day and we’d like to honor it as best we can in this weekend’s Wild Card Weekend. Enjoy!
Visit The Iwo Jima Memorial
The Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia is across the Potomac River from Washington DC.
The official name is the Marine Corps War Memorial and it depicts the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps who have died in the defense of their country since 1775. The design of the massive sculpture by Felix de Weldon was based on the iconic photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, taken during the Battle of Iwo Jima by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
The memorial features the Marines and Sailor who raised the second flag over Iwo Jima: Sgt Michael Strank, Cpl Harlon Block, PFC Franklin Sousley, PFC Rene Gagnon, PFC Ira Hayes, PM2 John Bradley. It’s free of charge to visit and open to the public for the entire year.
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Visit The World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial, the newest monument on the National Mall in Washington DC, is a beautiful place to visit and pay your respects to World War II veterans. The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004.
The World War II Memorial is an oval shape with two 43-foot arches, representing the war’s Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Fifty-six pillars represent the states, territories and the District of Columbia at the time of the war. Two sculpted bronze wreaths adorn each pillar. Small fountains sit at the bases of the two arches. Waterfalls surround a wall of 4,000 gold stars, each one represents 100 U.S. deaths in the war. More than two-thirds of the memorial consists of grass, plants and water. A circular garden, called the “Circle of Remembrance,” is enclosed by a two-foot-high stone wall.
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Financial Tip Of The Day
Invite Friends Over Instead Of Going Out.
Almost every activity at home is less expensive than going out. Invite some friends over and have a cookout or a potluck meal, then play some cards and have a few drinks. Everyone will have fun, the cost will be low, and the others will likely reciprocate not long afterwards. It’s especially good for a weekend like this one.
