In November of 2009, my friend and CAVU Author, Mike Schlote, and I were on a three day visit to our nation’s capital.

We marveled at its history and architecture and stood in awe of our founding documents inside the National Archives. We were mere inches away from the original Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, where lied the signatures of the most brilliant men ever gathered at one time.

As we made the rounds to the various memorials, we came to the awe-inspiring Jefferson Memorial lying on the edge of the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River.  It is hard not to marvel at Jefferson’s words etched in the white marble walls. Then, as you walk up to the man himself, made of bronze, standing 19 ft tall, and weighing 5 tons, you sense his brilliance as a statesmen, philosopher, and patriot-citizen.

However, as we looked intently as his face, we both noticed a massive cobweb hanging from Jefferson’s face down to his shoulder. It was silhouetted by the lights from inside the memorial. Mike snapped a picture and shared his thoughts upon our return.

It was appalling and immediately we could not help from drawing a profound analogy with the current state of our great nation.

However, I’m afraid it gets worse….

For the third straight year, I have lead 7th and 8th grade students to Washington D.C. for an educational tour. The trip is generally comprised of D.C., Arlington, Gettysburg, and Mt. Vernon. This year, we spent June 11, 12, and 13 touring the these wonderful sites.

As we approached the Jefferson Memorial on a beautiful Saturday evening, the memorial looked spectacular. However, as I was reading Jefferson’s quotes, I heard a commotion from some of my students as they stood around the Jefferson statue. “Look!” “There is a big booger hanging from his nose!”

I was utterly disgusted when I quickly realized it was the same cobweb hanging from Jefferson’s face that I had seen 7 months prior.

I had the notion to protest on the spot. I didn’t want to leave his side until a park official dusted this great man’s statue clean of cobwebs.

Is this how far we have come? The millions of dollars of tax payer money that flows into D.C., the milk capital of the world, and they can’t afford to have someone keep Jefferson freed of cobwebs within a 7 month period?

After having just celebrated Independence Day, America’s birthday, I would hope that the Jefferson Memorial was given a thorough cleaning which would pass a white glove test. After all, Thomas Jefferson wrote the document that declared our independence from England and King George III.

So, what can we do? Do we just have to take this? Absolutely not!

How about we each call our Representative and/or Senators and demand the utmost attention to this sacred monument.  I’d like to see the people of this great nation rise up with a united voice against such disrespect for Jefferson and all our Founders.

If our elected representatives don’t want to listen and take this matter seriously, then we the people will clean house ourselves….in November!

Tags: america, american heritage, congress, constitution, independence day, thomas jefferson, washington