We planned a visit to PA to visit family and view the fall foliage. We flew into the Baltimore airport and decided to see Washington DC. The poor weather limited our ability to see everything we had planned. Luckily, we did get to see a few impressive things. Arlington Cemetery was a moving experience. It started on the airplane when we sat by a young man who was traveling to Kentucky to begin basic training. He talked about his choice to serve his country and how much it meant to him. He always knew he wanted to join the military but finally decided to join when the poor economy caused him to lose his job as a motorcycle mechanic in Las Vegas. His distressed mother was having a hard time with his decision to serve. I sat beside him watching my daughter sleep, wondering, how a mother copes with the decision to share her child with our country, knowing the heavy consequences of such service. These feelings were close to my heart as we entered Arlington Cemetery and saw the headstones of 320,000 servicemen and women. All sons and daughters of a caring mother who love their children, the same way I love my baby girl.
The remains of veterans from every war and major conflict in US history are sheltered at Arlington. It was an honor to pay my respect to the many who have given their lives for freedom. I sincerely thanked that young man on the airplane for his service and I thank all those who give so much for our country.
The atmosphere at The Tomb of the Unknowns was reverent and respectful. If you have the chance, I would definitely recommend seeing the changing of the guard. I would suggest wearing nicer clothes. I felt under-dressed.
