“My Capitol”

By

Gerry Niskern

“Be very quiet” my dad whispered as our family took their seats in the United States Senate visitors gallery in the U.S. Capitol.  The year was l940, summertime.

Our senators were debating about passing the Selective Service Act. It was a controversial time as many of their constituents were against drafting our young men, but everyone knew we would probably soon be drawn into the war in Europe.

We left the Capitol through a tunnel, riding in some kind of a small powered vehicle, compliments of one of our congressmen from West Virginia. I don’t remember the details on that ride, but I vividly remember the rest of that summer trip to Washington, D. C.

My parents were planning to move to Arizona the next year and I recall my dad saying, “The girls may never get back this way again in their lifetime and we need to see to it that they see our nations capitol.” Back in those days people didn’t travel as frequently as now. ( The added bonus for me was always being the only student in class in Arizona to raise their hand when the teacher asked, “Has anyone seen the U. S. Capitol?”)

Of course, the first icon we spotted as we approached the city was that sacred, beautiful building, the Capitol. The  building that sits higher then everything. We each had our favorite place in the city. My sister loved the Washington monument because we got to climb the stairs to the top.

Mom loved the Lincoln memorial. The statue of Lincoln sitting there was breathtaking. It invoked a feeling of reverence and also, peace. The Jefferson memorial was just being constructed and we viewed it from a distance across a body of water.

We saw the White House, but I don’t remember visiting the inside, although we did tour George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. We also enjoyed the Smithsonian. My dad loved getting to see Charles Lindbergh’s plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, handing over our heads.

Dad also wanted to take mom to see the Senators play. She loved sports as much as him. They had never seen a major league game before.  My sister was 12 and I was nine and we were on our own while they attended the game. There was a beautiful park nearby, and I think a zoo where we spent the day on our own in that wonderful city.

We left the next day. As we drove away I watched thru the rear view mirror as my favorite, the Capitol  building, faded in the distance.

Now, ten days ago, all these many  years later, I watched in horror and grief as our country was violated. Acts of violence were committed by Americans in the same marble hallways where we had walked. The peaceful transfer of power was stopped by  rioters incited by lies and untruths spread by the President and his enablers.

There is much work to be done by every citizen. Through discussions and solutions we need to learn respect for one another’s beliefs. Because our Democracy Is strong, On January 20^th there will be a lawful transfer of power in front of the capitol; your capitol  and mine!