Home Again, Home Again

We were on our way back home, and although I would miss the family and the fun I wouldn't miss sleeping in my own bed, and having AJ sleep in a crib rather than a pack n play. turns out he doesn't sleep too well in those! SO we packed up and headed to the airport with Potts. Our flight was suppose to bee delayed so we found things to keep us busy. I walked around the airport with the baby attached so I could get my hour of exercise for the day and Joe read a book at the terminal so we wouldn't miss any updated info. Something must have happened because our flight was no longer delayed. We lined up to get loaded and realized there weren't very many people around...maybe they didn't get the news that the flight would be on time! As we boarded we heard an announcement that said there would only be 40 people on the flight so we could spread out as much as we wanted. AWESOME!!! Another free seat for AJ. Same routine as on the way there. Played, slept, laughed, and played some more. Sandi Mumford, bless her heart, was there to pick us up right on time. we got back to her house and crashed. Thank goodness we have wonderful friends that let us stay at their house so we didn't have to drive another 2 1/2 hours to get back home.
Since we were in the area and not in any rush to get home we decided to make it a DC day. We got lost for a little while and found ourselves on a military base with no public access. We had our car searched and then got let out. Finally we found our way to Arlington Cemetery. We took a good long walk.  It was very quiet and peaceful. I really enjoyed the time to contemplate the sacrifice people have made so that I could live in a free country. While we were there we saw three funerals.

The coffin, draped with the american flag, was brought in by 6 white horses.

After the graveside service was performed there was a 21 gun salute  (7 gunmen with 3 shots each) 

It was sad to be there seeing all these families gathered around their loved one's grave, but it also was really cool for me to see how well respected and honored these soldiers are. They have done so much all for the name of our country. It helped me find a sense of lost patriotism. I forget that there are those who have died so I could enjoy the life style I have. Thank you to all those who have, are, and will serve for our country.
Next we took a walk up to the Memorial Amphitheater.

The Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, was dedicated on May 15, 1920. While many ceremonies are conducted throughout the country, many consider the services at Arlington's Memorial Amphitheater to be the nation's official ceremonies to honor all American service members who serve to keep the United States free.

From the bottom of the steps

Looking through the columns (it was an amazingly beautiful building)

The view from the stage out towards the memorial for the USS Maine.

Directly attached to the theater is the Tomb of the Unknowns. There is complete silence at this memorial. I was so happy that AJ fell asleep as we entered the memorial so we wouldn't have to leave for being a disruption. 

The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater.

The white marble sarcophagus has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classic pilasters, or columns, set into the surface. Sculpted into the east panel which faces Washington, D.C., are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. The six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, represent the six major campaigns of World War I. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words: 

Here rests in honored glory

an American soldier known but to God

The Tomb sarcophagus was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown are the crypts of unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.

Inside the display room for the guards. Each guard takes this vow.  It is guarded 24/7 by a man who has sworn his time and loyalty to keeping this tomb safe. 

They pace back and forth for an hour each. 21 paces to each side. 

It was a great experience. We enjoyed the rest of our time just looking around, stopping at places like the JFK memorial, and the McClellan Gate.

Lighted by Mrs. Kennedy during the funeral, the Eternal Flame burns from the center of a five-foot circular flat-granite stone at the head of the grave. The burner is a specially designed apparatus created by the Institute of Gas Technology of Chicago. A constantly flashing electric spark near the tip of the nozzle relights the gas should the flame be extinguished by rain, wind or accident. The fuel is natural gas and is mixed with a controlled quantity of air to achieve the color and shape of the flame

Directly opposite of the gave site for the Kennedy family are excerpts from JFK's addresses. It looks over the main skyline of DC. 

Following the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery in 1864, the grounds were enclosed. Several gates provided pedestrian and vehicular access. The main entrance to the cemetery was located where the McClellan Arch currently towers 30 feet above the roadway.

Atop the arch facing east, the word "McClellan" is inscribed in gold. Below that is the phrase:

"On fame's eternal camping ground
their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round,
the bivouac of the dead."

The west face of the arch is inscribed with the words:

"Rest on embalmed and sainted dead,
dear as the blood ye gave,
no impious footsteps here shall tread
on the herbage of your grave."

It is really cool to live near so many national monuments. I am so glad we are taking advantage of this and seeing all that we can these 3 years spent in the east. I am glad AJ will have all these pictures to look back on and know he was there, and hopefully get a chance to revisit most of these places when he can build memories of his own. 

Now we are home safe and sound, waiting for our next adventure!