Columbus, Ohio

In July of 2011, we made the turn west, and started our 2 ½ month meandering journey back to California. Of course, we had many stops to make along the way, including 8 more state capitals, starting off with our visit to Columbus, Ohio.  Located at the heart of Columbus on Capitol Square, the Statehouse building is patterned after our nation's capitol (as many Capitol buildings are), and has many fine examples of Greek architecture, stained glass, and luxurious floors and carpets.  But the stand-out attraction for me was Veteran's Memorial, where there are two limestone walls with etchings of letters sent home, from all the wars Ohioans fought. There are letters to sweethearts, children, mothers and fathers, friends, and terrible letters notifying a loved one of someone's death. There are only ever victims in war, including (and most especially) the ones who are sent to do the fighting.  The letters from these soldiers were soulful expressions of love, worry, fear, homesickness, yearning, courage, hope, confusion - the breadth and depth of all human emotion. I can hardly explain how moved I was while reading those letters.  I included the six pictures we took at the Memorial to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.