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Discover: Arlington National Cementary, DC

Welcome to Arlington!

This has been on our “must see” list since we moved here! We just have never ventured out to see it. But with the Wreaths Across America being laid, I thought this was the perfect time to go!

We went the day they laid the wreaths, but they were finished by the time we got there, so we didn’t lay any ourselves. I cannot describe to you the sheer enormity of Arlington, and how incredibly powerful it was to see all those wreaths! So many men and women who didn’t get to come home for Christmas. Breaks my heart…

Some of the headstones had the spouses or children etched on the back of them…which also broke my heart.

We got to Arlington a little late…around 3-ish. And they close at 5pm. So we just headed strait to see what we really wanted to see, which was Kennedy’s burial site, and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which happens every hour -on the hour. 
“And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the World: Ask not what America can do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of Man.” JFK

“In the long history of the World, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility- I welcome it.” JFK

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a very solemn ceremony. If you have not read much about the guards and their duty, you should look into it. Everything they do is significant– from the number of steps they take to the number of seconds they wait in each position. It’s very moving.

This is my recording of the ceremony. 

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/GlLlBInQu7A&source=uds

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is set up on a hill in front of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. People just sit quietly on the marble stairs and watch the guard go through his paces. 

It’s incredibly moving! We just headed back to the metro station after the ceremony. So I’ll leave you with the rest of the photos. I think they speak for themselves. 

Arlington Metro Station

4 thoughts on “Discover: Arlington National Cementary, DC”

  1. I cried reading this blog. Seeing the pictures and watching the video on screen are very moving, that I could only imagine how it would be in person. Definitely a place we need to make it to one day. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I cried reading this blog. Seeing the pictures and watching the video on screen are very moving, that I could only imagine how it would be in person. Definitely a place we need to make it to one day. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

    Reply

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