I am stunned by downtown Washington D.C. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Smithsonian Museums, history can be seen on every corner.
With numerous memorials and monuments, I wanted to see them all but knew that was not going to happen. The main places I wanted to visit were the war memorials. Having never served in the military, I am humbled by the number of men and women to have served our country and respect their service. I had to see these memorials.
It was at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I met David.
David is a parks guide for the monuments and has been working for the parks for 15 months. He leads tours around the memorials and today he was at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Filled with the knowledge of the memorial, David guides tourists and answers any of their questions.
David, however, is not like the other guides. He is blind.
Led only by his white can, David shares his knowledge of the memorials and is able to navigate his way around hundreds of tourists while continuing to answer questions.
Born and raised in Wyoming, David followed his father’s footsteps by becoming a park ranger. His father worked in Wyoming for the National Parks. Fresh out of college, he decided to come to D.C. and become a park guide for the national monuments.
He stands near the flagpole of the memorial asking everyone who passes their name and where they are from, able to quickly respond with a fact about their home state or country.
I was amazed by David. Not because he was blind but because he packed up everything to pursue his passion. Something I don’t think I ever could do.
David is my age and was willing to relocate across the country. He guides strangers everyday and I was no different.
My tour was over but I couldn’t help sitting near David as he interacted with those around him. I was intrigued and jealous of his courage.
I want to be like David. He had a passion and was willing to do everything he could to make it happen. He moved away from his family and friends to live in a new place so he could be a park ranger.
I need a passion like his.
The tour ended but his guidance was still felt.
James Buce 