Smithsonian

We got the rare privilege the other day to visit one of the Smithsonians - the National Museum of American History. We were there almost 4 hours and only got through 2 exhibits!

This is the Star Spangled Banner - the acutal flag that waved over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the National Anthem. It was HUGE - much bigger than I thought - 30 feet x 34 feet! I can easily see how it invoked such awe!

This is a glass shard from the palace at Tikrit - the birthplace of Saddam Hussein. It seems such a shame that something so corrupt as the middle east government could produce something so delicate and amazing. It was a powerful lesson to me that we need to be looking for beauty even in the most unlikely of places - and WITHIN the most unlikely of people.

This is George Washington's ACTUAL uniform. I was staring right at it behind the glass. Absolutely amazing. I have such respect for him as a leader and as a man. His integrity, faith, and leadership never faltered.