This is Alison, kids. I never expected to put myself on a list with folks who are as well recognized as George Washington, Willard Scott, or Jim Morrison. Obviously I do not have the fame nor the notoriety of our first president, I am not as ubiquitous nor legendary as the weatherman who now reads the names of centenarians off of Smuckers jars, and I certainly do not remind many of the musician who begs us to “light” his “fire”.
Yet I have something in common with the aforementioned. We all have a connection to a little city that we call home, Alexandria…not Louisiana or Egypt but Virginia. As you may know, I was born, raised, and lived most of my adult life in the City of Alexandria – a mere few miles from our nation’s Capitol. Alexandria is not a bastard stepchild of Washington, DC or a suburb that sprung up to accommodate the growing city of Washington, DC but a city with its own unique characteristics, history, culture, and entertainment.
Our first President, George Washington called Alexandria, specifically Mount Vernon, home. In the U.S. Capitol Rotunda there is a picture entitled General George Washington Resigning His Commission,…General George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to the Congress, which was then meeting at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, on December 23, 1783. This action was of great significance in establishing of civilian rather than military rule, leading to democracy rather than dictatorship. Washington stands with two aides-de-camp addressing the president of the Congress, Thomas Mifflin, and others, such as Elbridge Gerry, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison. Mrs. Washington and her three grandchildren are shown watching from the gallery, although they were not in fact present at the event.
Martha Washington and the grandchildren were not present because they were at Mount Vernon preparing for George’s return for Christmas since his resignation was on December 23rd. At the time, George Washington had no desire to lead the nation and wished to spend the rest of his life farming and living at his home in Mount Vernon. Thankfully, it didn’t quite turn out that way.
Hollywood put a bright spotlight on Alexandria when Disney decided to make a movie called, Remember the Titans. The movie is based on T.C. Williams (where I went to high school) and follows the school’s high school football team during the 1970’s desegregation of the school and its winning season.
Needless to say, I am proud of where I came from and couldn’t have imagined a greater place to grow-up. So while you are in town for our wedding and if you have some free time and want to head out of the District, consider visiting a little place that I like to call home.
***Alexandria is easily accessible by the Metro System on the blue line. In addition, if you fly into DCA you are flying into Alexandria so you can already say you have been to my hometown. ***
2 comments:
BO-RING. hahaha
Personally, I think they're all kind of manly. /masaru
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