The Metro rail system is wheelchair accessible (there are elevators at each station). Best bet for everyone not taking a bus is to park in outlying areas and take the Metro in to the Mall. See: http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm for details.

The Blue or Orange line stop at the Smithsonian will pop you right up on the Mall. Maybe not too close to the wall, but maybe the foggy bottom station would be closer (can't remember, haven't been there in 6-7 yrs )

the Foggy bottom station is closer but not sure which station is easier for Wheel chairs use and travel. the Metro people could tell you that.

I live in N VA and conduct business in and around downtown DC.

Moving in and out of the West end of the Mall is difficult for anyone, wheelchairs especially. The two closest stations on Metro (Foggy Bottom and Farragut West)are 8-10 blocks north of the Mall area and some of the streets have significant amounts of construction along the route to the Mall. Smithsonian station is on the mall but the equivalent of 10-12 blocks to the East.

There is a limited amount of surface parking in the vicinity of the Mall, generally on the south side of the Mall area. A decent lot is nominally on Maine Ave., near the T. Jefferson Memorial but that is still a way from the West end of the Mall, capacity is only 100 cars and there are time limitations. There are also small lots in the area marked as Lady Bird Johnson Park on the south side of the Potomac......time limitations are a factor there as well.

Best bet for handicap access may be to stage from the closest Metro stop with good elevator access in the West end office district (generally pretty empty on a w/e) to a shuttle bus or just a shuttle bus from the VA side of the Potomac.

FYI,....any arrangements that are made are subject to disruption by members of the "active Left". I attended the last inaugural parade, the "active Left", in my opinion, purposefully crowded the various security checkpoints....this impacted the number of people that could be processed through the checkpoint limiting the crowd along the parade route. The media reported re: the thin crowd but missed the story re: the "body blocking/checking" that was clearly going on at the security stations.

I just looked on the Metro website and come up with these options. Everyone needs to look into this that has wheelchair and other disability issues.

http://www.wmata.com/accessibility/Accessible Transportation Options.pdf

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: MetroAccess trip planning

http://www.wmata.com/Metroaccess/access form.cfm

call (during working hours in day) Call 301-562-5360, press 2 for trip status and then press 2 to speak to a customer service representative Metro offers free orientations to teach people with disabilities how to use bus and rail, along with trip planning assistance, which highlights accessibility and safety features. To arrange for a FREE Metro system orientation or for more information, please contact the Metro Office of ADA Programs at 202-962-1558 or 202-962-2033 (TTY) (during working hours in day).

questions to ask:

1. What is the best way for me to get from the Hotel to train station? 2. What is the closest train station to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 3. What is the best way for me to get from the Train station to the Memorial. 4. What is the best fare and Where can I buy a pass for the weekend? 5 Do you take dollar bills or just change- also is there a machine that is Accessible for my wheelchair.

and others that you think of

other options: http://www.dccirculator.com/customerservice.html this has phone numbers

emaiL:http://us.f906.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?YY=91070&y5beta=yes

(1) "Logistics" thread on the forum also mentions that there are 50 handicapped spots at the WWII memorial. (If not affected by construction, spots would be first come, first get.)

(2) Folks staying at the hotels on the sidebars may be able to organize a shuttle bus from their hotel directly to the drop-off point.

There is also the Arlington Cemetery metro stop. It's on the south west side of the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. It may be a little bit of a walk (but I believe it's closer then Foggy Bottom or Farragut West). You would walk over the Memorial Bridge, and it's a beautiful view of DC and the Potomac River.

The Arlington Cemetery metro has elevators.

www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

Just Make sure the Shuttle buses know when to come pick you up- and you have a number to call!

*****Also here is a phone number to put in your

cell phone/electronic device: ***Metro Transit Police*** 202-962-2121 and it says: "be aware of your surroundings!" http://www.wmata.com/riding/safety/dont be an easy target.pdf

also the "301" number in the email above is just for Washington DC residents by the way but the other phone numbers: 202-962-1558 or 202-962-2033 (TTY) are useful for all visitors.

It has been my experience when I brought my Dad down for the dedication of the WWII Memorial that Metro is very easy to use if you are in a wheelchair. For the most part all stations have assistance if you need if. Our experience was wonderfull!

Thank you, would be there if I could. Am a veteran of WW11 and Korea, and a member of VFW and Amer. Legion. Read about you in todays Michelle Malkin column. Keep up the good work. God deliver us from the Sean Penns and Jane Fondas of our country. Paul Miller

I would like to be allowed to park my car and have the same privileges and the same considerations as Hanoi Jane. If not, I could become "Handicap Linda" and make the entire Nations Capitol just as sick of seeing my face and sick of hearing of my awards as we are of hearing and seing Jane Fonda!!!

I do not recommend getting off at Arlington Cemetery. It is a good way to get to the Lincoln Memorial and the traffic in the DC is dangerous on a good day.

Parking is more limited than ever. If you get there early enough you can park in front of the museums but it is still a good way to the memorial.

Please obey the walk/don't walk signals and cross at the cross walks. The cops here will ticket you if you cross the street where there is no crosswalk.

The nearest train station is union station in DC. Check out the metro website listed in discussions. The red line metro stops there. You can take it to La Fant Plaza and get on the blue or orange line to the Smithsonian station. You will also need to be aware of elevator outages which are common here AND whether there are any scheduled work repairs on the Metro that weekend, which would not surprise me.

Good luck!!

http://home.earthlink.net/ mostlymusicalts/bravodelaware/ I was just thinking MArch 17th is Saint Patricks day , Saint Patrick ran the snakes out of Ireland . Do you think if we sent him and email all the sankeswould leave Washington dc and better still these great States of the United States. Bu a uniform if you have to and wear it. They can't keep us from wearing the flag God bless the Veterans of these great United States. Tim

Dont worry about "the left" doing any blocking at security check points. Some of my brothers and I have already gone over all the senerios and we will be there to un-block any hippy that gets in our way. This is war folks and we can't let these traders silence us again. We will be there and we will be heard 100 NO MATTER WHAT. We do know for sure that anarchists are planning on confronting us except they are going to be sneaky about it so be ready. They are not planning on dressing like typical anachists and may use smoke bombs and projectiles to add to the confusion. My brothers and I are ready to teach those sniviling hippys a thing or two about loosing their teeth. This is not a time to be passive. The intelligence we have is reliable. Be aware that many of these anarchists are women. They must be the first to be put down so they know we are for real.

Semper Fi, John

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Ballston (in Arlington) it is Right On the Orange Line. This hotel even has a little shuttle that will take you to the train station. The Orange Line goes to Foggy Bottom station- in a very short period of time. Ask your hotel to confirm this. Please look at the Metro train maps on websites as stated above -to see where the train routes are.

I hope the slimy "snakes" leave before we get there ha ha.

I am in a power wheelchair and don't particularly like riding the Metro. However, considering the lack of parking downtown, I will probably be parking my truck at the Franconia-Springfield Metro stop and then riding the Metro in. If anyone is willing to help me set up a staging area there for disabled veterans we could meet at a certain time and then Metro in together.

I'd be happy to show anyone from out of town how to purchase the Metro fare tickets and get them to the Wall. There's always plenty of parking in the parking garage on weekends at that stop too. Enough so that even if all the handicapped spots are taken that there won't be a problem for anyone... even if you have a full size van with a wheelchair lift.

Also, if you are in a wheelchair, or otherwise handicapped, and need an elevator, you need to double check the Metro website for elevator outages so that you can go to an alternate site if needed. That can be found here: http://www.wmata.com/riding/eles status.cfm?nocache

All the best, and see you there,

V5

Addendum: VERY IMPORTANT!! YOU MUST PURCHASE AN ELECTRONIC METRO SMART CARD TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE METRO PARKING GARAGES!!! However, anyone (EVERYONE) that comes to my Metro stop can use mine if you're from out of town.

The Springfield-Franconia Metro stop is in Springfield, Virginia, which is part of Fairfax, County.

Also, if anyone is staying in hotels in Virginia I will have room for 4 people and can pick you up. I will also gladly come to hotels and meet up with people wanting to follow me to the Metro stop. Easier than directions, and easier for disabled people to drive their own vehicle.

The Metro stop parking garage only costs $3.00 to park so don't worry about that. You will need a "electronic fare card" to get out, but I can get everyone covered with mine. Well as long as I don't have 100 vehicles at my location. ;-)

V5

Washington is not a car-friendly city. The public parking places near the Mall are going to be taken in the early morning long before the bulk of the crowd arrives. Anyplace you park is probably going to cost you $20 for the day.

My recommendation for parking your car is the little known giant underground parking lot under the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, next to the Federal Triangle Metro Station, across Constitution Avenue from the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It occupies the northwest corner of the block bounded north & south by Pennsylvania Ave NW & Constitution Avenue NW, west & east by 14th St NW & 12th St NW.

Parking Rates: http://www.itcdc.com/about.php?p=7 Map & Directions: http://www.itcdc.com/about.php?p=6

Go to Google Map and search for: ronald reagan building, washington, dc Switch to satellite photo for a bird's eye view

As you are driving west on Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol toward the White House, the street will turn left about 15 degrees at 13th Street. You will see a flat open paved park on your right, Freedom Plaza. Directly across from that park on your left is the Reagan building.

Get in the left lane. About a hundred feet from the intersection of Pennsylvania & 13th on your left is an opening between the buildings with a car ramp descending underground to public parking. Turn left into the opening and stop at the guard shack for the bottom of your car to be searched.

From the Reagan building, it's a about a mile to the Wall down Constitution Avenue. Walk towards the Washington Monument, get on the left side of Constitution Avenue when you can. You'll pass the open area around the Washington Monument on your left and the White House on your right, then cross 17th Street NW and the stone house to a wooded park. That's Constitution Gardens. Pass the pond on your left. Turn left on Henry Bacon Drive NW, which meets Constitution Avenue at an oblique angle, and see the Lincoln Memorial dead ahead. The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial will be to your left once you walk about fifty yards down Bacon Drive.

Here is an excellent free map of DC that you can print out from your computer: http://home.nps.gov/applications/hafe/hfc/carto-detail.cfm?Alpha=NACC#

It seems a sad commentary that in our nation's capital people with special mobility needs have to skirt around and run the gamut to a gathering of this nature.