Veterans Day 2013 at the National Mall

To get to the Memorials you walk past the Washington Monument, undergoing repairs from the earthquake. That ancient tree caught my eye, with the Potomac in the background. As I went to take the photo, a veteran who had lost his legs was coming down the sidewalk in his electric wheelchair, which was decorated with flags. He was by himself. I got a sudden reminder of the reality of our veterans sacrifices.