Washington DC—Veterans and supporters stood in the middle of Memorial Circle during afternoon rush hour on Friday with banners and signs urging commuters to join their opposition to a 250 foot Triumphal Arch construction plan. Several groups were involved in the action, including chapters of Veterans For Peace from Washington DC and another from Hawaii; Third Act-DC-MD-VA, and Code Pink Women Against War.
The Triumphal Arch is planned to be built inside Memorial circle, a heavily traveled commuter route, which is just outside the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. Construction would last several years at minimum and disrupt a major commuter artery, including shut down Memorial Bridge, one of four major bridges linking Washington DC to Virginia. The planned site falls directly under the flight path of hundreds of commercial aircraft flying in and out of National Airport. The height and proximity of the arch to the commercial flight path will pose a risk during inclement weather days.
The Veterans and supporters have been mobilizing against the proposed 25 storied memorial since before Memorial Day when they erected at replica arch near the Lincoln Memorial as thousands of motor cycles rode through for Rolling Tribute (previously known as Rolling Thunder). Their message then as it is now: ‘No Arch.’
A message posted by a spokesperson for the group gave several reasons why they were protesting the proposed arch construction by the Trump White House. It read, in part:
“We are protesting to protect and defend the solemnity and honor of this hallowed ground. To place a memorial that would obstruct the unbroken viewshed from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington Cemetery would totally destroy all that this space represents. It is unconscionable to suggest that this space could be, and would be [emphasis added], redefined by any one person, let alone someone totally consumed by his own vanity.”
One Veteran among the group was so agitated about the rushed plan that she said she flew all the way from Hawaii on a moment’s notice to join the Veterans’ opposition group.
Retired Colonel Ann Wright, an Army officer with 27-years of service, and a member of the Hawaii Chapter of Veterans for Peace, brought the chapter banner with her for the action. “Over our dead bodies,” she said about the Triumphal Arch plan at Memorial Circle. “It’s for him, Mr. Bonespurs with five deferments from the military.” Col. Wright was emphatic that there would be opposition to the Arch, saying, “A cold day in hell this thing is going up.”
Col Wright was joined by another Retired Air Force Colonel as well as Veterans from other periods of service, including a Vietnam Era Veteran.
The height of the arch would rise 250 feet and at that height it would break the line of sight view between the Arlington House, a property once owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and the Lincoln Memorial. President Abraham Lincoln and General Lee are seen historically as the protagonist and antagonist of the Civil War and the symbolic meaning of reconciliation between two opposing forces splitting the Republic during the Civil War. This symbolism would be destroyed by the Triumphal Arch. An arch built inside the circle would interpose Trump’s image as somehow significant in the design of that area of the city.
Then there is the significance of the proximity of the Arch to Arlington National Cemetery, resting place of over 250,000 war Veterans and many Veterans’ spouses. Many of these Veterans served in the wars since the Civil War, and gave their lives in battle. The Veterans expressed deep concern that the arch would overpower the significance of the full final measure given by 100,000s in every war and conflict fought since the Civil War.
The group of Veterans plans afternoon watches of Memorial Circle from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, September 21 through September 25. Several other Veterans plan early morning watches starting at 6:00 am. Memorial Circle is about a 5 minute walk from Arlington National Cemetery metro stop and the group has invited anyone to join them with interest in standing in opposition to the Triumphal Arch.
The group is also planning for the possibility that the construction may begin anytime and is planning to mobilize further if it begins.
A late breaking story on Sunday afternoon revealed Trump had added a plan to militarize the Triumphal Arch with sniper positions and drones. But it was unclear if this was a troll or if it was a bonafide preparation for some kind of expected attack. The last time any threat occurred in the area was on 9-11 when American Flight 77 impacted the Wast side of the Pentagon.
Trump has already been flustered by a court ordered removal of his name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The latest incident at the Kennedy Center involving a Board vote to close the iconic building and a initiative to demolish the arts center drew over 10,000 just hours after the Triumphal Arch demonstration.
Trump’s attempt to refurbish the reflecting Pool was also a disappointment and an embarrassment for the White House. The White House, vis-vis the National Park Service, struggled to explain why or how the refurbishing went wrong, blaming innocent observers for damaging the Reflecting Pool which is itself a memorial. The contractor eventually took responsibility for a bad patch paint job.
Economic and trade policy missteps have created rampant inflation and crushed his approval polling to the lowest levels of any president at this time in their term.
The besieged president, is gaining few allies if any among Veterans as his attempt to build the Triumphal Arch which is set to begin construction anytime now.
The combination of all these factors have a knock on effect potential to draw many to oppose the Triumphal Arch as well.
