Arlington Cemetery

We visited Arlington National Cemetery (it's a short Metro ride from our home).  Have you ever been there?  From the moment you walk through the gilded gates you appreciate the magnificent memorial President Lincoln wanted, "...for the soldiers who shall die in the service of their country."

 

It's an overwhelmingly sad yet beautiful and peaceful place where nearly 300,000 American heroes eternally rest.

(In this shot you can see the Air Force Memorial beyond the headstones.)

 

We paid our respects to Captain Project's old Army buddy, Tommy, who was killed in action in Iraq.

 

(An App is available here to help you locate specific grave sites.)

 

President Kennedy was once quoted as saying, "...there will be no veterans of any further wars...because all shall have learned to live together in peace."  These words tumbled through my mind as we walked for a good two hours past the endless rows of headstones.

 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been under guard for 24 hours a day since 1936.

 

This is the new Memorial Amphitheater, built in 1915 (the original, built in 1874, still stands).

 

One of many breathtaking views ~ this is Pierre L'Enfant's (he designed the city of Washington, DC) tomb, overlooking DC (if you look closely, you can see the Capital and the Washington Monument in the distance).

 

 

Over 3 million people visit the cemetery every year but it is always quiet and other than in the welcome center, you don't see many people because there are over 600 acres of land.

 

 

If you have the opportunity to visit this honored and deeply revered site, I hope you will.