A place for silence & respect.
A place for reverance and observance.
A place where our FREEDOM wasn't free.
Our trip was amazing. We were able to grab the Metro down in Maryland as we came up from the tunnel there in the beautiful sunlight was the National Park of fallen Soldiers of Men & Women.
We choose to ride the bus tour around the park, seeing how hot it was ( well into the 90's) we figured walking was just not an option since most of the park is uphill. We grabbed the tour bus and headed off to our destination.
This sign below is how I think all Cemetery visitors should conduct themselves, to show the ones who have gone before us the UP MOST RESPECT!!
Just a few facts:
There are over 360,000 thousand men and women buried here.
Over 15 funerals a day, over 6,900 funerals a year.
They estimate that Arlington will be filled in 15 years where there will be no more room for graves.
3 unknown men are buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
Changing of the guard is every hour on the half hour during the Summer months and every hour on the hour during the winter months.
We visited the only three places you can really visit in Arlington which are:
Arlington House
The Tomb of the Unknown
And JFK & The Forever Burning Flame
This home was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family for several years before it was taken over during the civil war.
This home was built as a memorial for President George Washington by his step grandson George Washington Parke Curtis and his slaves back in 1802 and 1818. Almost 20 years to build.
There are two slave quarters behind this home as well.
Originally the property of Arlington National Cemetery was a plantation known as Arlington Plantation and that is how the park got it's name.
Each room has a fireplace or two in some, made of marble and engraved with maple leafs and acorns.
I can't even begin to imagine what it was like in this amazing structure. The room are all hardwood floor, massive crown moldings, walls that reached at least 15 feet. It was simply beautiful as well as amazing!! Oh, they knew how to make homes back then.
John F. Kennedy, his wife Jackie and 2 infant children are buried in Arlington. Jakie had expressed a desire to have some kind of marker at her husband's tombstone as the tombs of the Unknown.
JFK was suppose to be buried at the family's plot in Massachusetts, but Jakie made her desires known stating " he belongs to the people!"
What a woman full of class!
Even while writing this my emotions are heavy. To give the American People the President who had been killed by an American, but had done so much for the good of the people.
A place of solace, quietness, feeling content and remembering....We remember even if we weren't alive.
The Tomb of the Unknown
This is a place of complete reverence and respect!
All guard's are volunteers, they guard this tomb 365 days a year in every kind of weather!
The guard's are the elite of the 3rd U.S. Infantry from Fort Meyer, Virgina. Guard's have a 2 week interview process and must meet certain requirements such as a perfect military record, a height requirement and in great physical condition.
From the fall to the spring time the guards change every hour on the hour, but due to the HOT weather they are changed more frequently during the summer to every half hour on the half. We were able to watch this process where THEY COMMAND COMPLETE SILENCE!
This is the 1st guard when we got there. They walk 20 paces, stop for a minuet or two then turn around clicking their heels. They stroke the bayonet, click their heels again and walk 20 paces & start it all over.
the guard.
Meeting in the middle and giving their salutes, following commands.
Giving respect to the men who are buried in the unknown tomb.
Being escorted off the post. One will stay and being the exact march of 20 paces as the other.
It's a lifetime experience to visit this National Memorial.
I am thankful for our freedom, for the ones who choose to give their life for my rights.
I will never forget what it means or take it for granted!
Thank you is not enough!
