Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery: Words and pictures cannot capture the feeling of this place. The emotion that it naturally evokes. It does not matter where you stand on war - every American past and present owes a great deal to the some 320,000+ men and women interred here. The sheer immensity of the place is a cause for reverence.



The changing of the guard at the Tomb of Unknowns. This was a humbling and beautiful thing to witness. And to imagine that despite the weather (which can be quite fierce -3 feet snows just this winter) the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded every minute of every day since 1937. These men have such a beautiful love and respect for their fallen brothers and show a strong devotion to them.

Thoughts and Impressions: This was mine and Andy's favorite historical place in DC. It was awe inspiring. It was humbling. It was emotional. The overwhelming feeling was not sadness though there was a good deal of that, but it was gratitude. Gratitude for a lifestyle, calling and job I have never understood or appreciated. It was gratitude for the many many sacrifices made by those soldiers and their families too. Sacrifices so that I can still have my freedoms. It is hard to recognise how truly connected those two things are - these soldiers' sacrifices and our freedoms until you visit this hallowed ground. We saw a few boys (because they really couldn't be called men they were so young) who were no more than 20 yrs old dressed in their military formals walking the cemetery. After we passed the first few of them I felt awe. After the next couple passed a few minutes later, I felt overwhelming gratitude. And when we came again upon three more I felt humility to the point that I had to thank them for their sacrifices. Andy and I both were overcome and full of emotion. We did not know these boys - and they did not know us but that was the beautiful thing. They didn't know us or the majority of the people they swore to protect.

I have never wanted my sons or daughters to be soldiers because I never wanted to make that sacrifice if their end was met. Although it still would be quite a burden for me to carry, I would be proud of them if they choose themselves to make that sacrifice.

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery was an unexpected highlight of the whole weekend and was a very special thing to experience on Easter Sunday. It reminded me of the blood that was shed so that all our souls might be free.