Washington Monument tour needs polishing up

While the National Park Service deliberates about enhancing security at the Washington Monument, how about upgrading its current tours of the monument as well [“A truly monumental security issue,” front page, Nov. 8].

So many opportunities were missed when we visited the monument this summer with our grandchildren. As we waited in the broiling sun, park rangers graciously lined us up but gave us no background information about the monument’s construction. The elevator ride was no more enlightening. When we got to the top, the displays were shabby and the windows dusty. We tried to orient some of the foreign visitors in our group, but I was frankly embarrassed that our wonderful landmark was presented rather ignobly.

Security is important, but the main event should be enhancing our understanding of American history and presenting this iconic structure in a manner it deserves.