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Dear Kelly, Greetings from New York City! Yesterday we visited Central Park, one of the biggest city parks I have ever seen. It is over one-half mile wide and two and one-half miles long with so much to do. We took a carriage ride through the park and even rowed a boat out on one of the park’s lakes. My mom loved looking at all the sculptures in the park. Dad enjoyed the free classical music concert in one of the small pavilions. My brother and I liked the zoo most of all. It was small but had some neat animals. Our guide said the Central Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States. In the afternoon, we took a ferry to see the famous Statue of Liberty that stands in New York Harbor. Our guide said this 151-foot copper statue was given to the United States by France in 1884 to represent the friendship and freedom both countries share. The tour guide told us that between 1892 and 1924, more than 22 million people came to the United States and were greeted by this statue as they entered our country at Ellis Island. For them it represented the freedom and opportunity they would find in our country. Dad said my own grandparents came to this country through Ellis Island and often spoke of how excited they were to be greeted by “Miss Liberty.” Seeing the Statue of Liberty made me so proud of our country and the freedom we have. Well, l better run. We are going to try to see a Broadway play. See  you soon.                 Love,                       Christie

• a.  Central Park has activities for visitors of all ages and interests.
• New York is an incredible city.
• a.  The Central Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States.

Dear Kelly, Greetings from New York City! Yesterday we visited Central Park, one of the biggest city parks I have ever seen. It is over one-half mile wide and two and one-half miles long with so much to do. We took a carriage ride through the park and even rowed a boat out on one of the park’s lakes. My mom loved looking at all the sculptures in the park. Dad enjoyed the free classical music concert in one of the small pavilions. My brother and I liked the zoo most of all. It was small but had some neat animals. Our guide said the Central Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States. In the afternoon, we took a ferry to see the famous Statue of Liberty that stands in New York Harbor. Our guide said this 151-foot copper statue was given to the United States by France in 1884 to represent the friendship and freedom both countries share. The tour guide told us that between 1892 and 1924, more than 22 million people came to the United States and were greeted by this statue as they entered our country at Ellis Island. For them it represented the freedom and opportunity they would find in our country. Dad said my own grandparents came to this country through Ellis Island and often spoke of how excited they were to be greeted by “Miss Liberty.” Seeing the Statue of Liberty made me so proud of our country and the freedom we have. Well, l better run. We are going to try to see a Broadway play. See  you soon.                Love,                     Christi

• a.  The 151-foot Statue of Liberty is impressive.
• b. Immigrants came to this country searching for freedom.
• c. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, opportunity, and friendship.

Dear Kelly, We are having a great time in Washington, D.C. Today we visited two monuments. I am sure you have seen pictures of the famous Washington Monument. It is a huge obelisk, over 55 feet in height and covered in white marble. The monument weighs over 90,000 tons! We took an elevator to the top of the monument and had a great view of the whole city of Washington. In the lobby at the base of the obelisk is a large statue of our first president, George Washington. This spectacular monument honors him. Next, we visited a very different monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This monument is two walls of polished black granite arranged in a V-shape. On the walls are carved the names of more than 58,000 men and women who were killed or missing in the Vietnam War. Visitors walk very quietly and respectfully along the granite walls. All along the base of the monument are flowers, flags, and small memorials left by friends and family members. There is so much more we have to see here in Washington, D.C. I'll tell you all about our trip when I get home. See you soon, Megan

• The Washington Monument honors our nation's first president
• The Washington Monument must have taken a long time to build
• The Washinton Monument is a massive, impressive structure

Dear Kelly, We are having a great time in Washington, D.C. Today we visited two monuments. I am sure you have seen pictures of the famous Washington Monument. It is a huge obelisk, over 55 feet in height and covered in white marble. The monument weighs over 90,000 tons! We took an elevator to the top of the monument and had a great view of the whole city of Washington. In the lobby at the base of the obelisk is a large statue of our first president, George Washington. This spectacular monument honors him. Next, we visited a very different monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This monument is two walls of polished black granite arranged in a V-shape. On the walls are carved the names of more than 58,000 men and women who were killed or missing in the Vietnam War. Visitors walk very quietly and respectfully along the granite walls. All along the base of the monument are flowers, flags, and small memorials left by friends and family members. There is so much more we have to see here in Washington, D.C. I'll tell you all about our trip when I get home. See you soon, Megan

• Visitors to the Vietnam Memorial often leave gifts along the granite walls.
• A visit to the VIetnam Veterans Memorial is a very moving experience
• The Vietnam Memorial consists of two granite walls arranged in a V-shape

Dear Kelly, We are having a great time in Washington, D.C. Today we visited two monuments. I am sure you have seen pictures of the famous Washington Monument. It is a huge obelisk, over 55 feet in height and covered in white marble. The monument weighs over 90,000 tons! We took an elevator to the top of the monument and had a great view of the whole city of Washington. In the lobby at the base of the obelisk is a large statue of our first president, George Washington. This spectacular monument honors him. Next, we visited a very different monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This monument is two walls of polished black granite arranged in a V-shape. On the walls are carved the names of more than 58,000 men and women who were killed or missing in the Vietnam War. Visitors walk very quietly and respectfully along the granite walls. All along the base of the monument are flowers, flags, and small memorials left by friends and family members. There is so much more we have to see here in Washington, D.C. I'll tell you all about our trip when I get home. See you soon, Megan

• The two visits to the monuments were very different experiences for her.
• Visiting monuments helps her learn about our nation's history
• She is impressed by the different ways monuments are consulted