Arlington National Cemetery; Where Valor Rests

On our final day in DC we visited Arlington National Cemetery. As we entered the grounds from the visitor parking area we passed a set of signs like this:



I thought it a no-brainer but as we walked and toured the cemetery, watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and visited the Kennedy family grave site it became apparent just how necessary these signs are.

Sure it's interesting to see such famous landmarks, but allowing your kids to behave like they're in Disneyland by crawling around, climbing on or jumping over fences isn't exactly appropriate.

Seeing the seemingly endless rows of tombstones is a sobering experience. Having to listen to chattering children who obviously haven't had the silence and respect policy explained to them is not exactly pleasant.

One family (4 kids and parents) managed quite well. Since the grounds are so large, there are trams available that bring visitors to the most popular attractions while a narrator gives information and interesting facts about the areas passed by or through. While waiting for the tram the kids sat quietly in the shade of a tree and the dad played a quiet game with them.

He asked them to take turns naming birds, which they each did. One of the older kids said "Blue bird", the father said good job and asked a little boy, obviously a younger sibling who said "Robin" followed by the dad offering praise. Then one of the youngest, a small girl, said "Car bird" with much enthusiasm and clapping of hands. The dad laughed, said nice try but no dice. Unfazed, the little girl began naming off other birds that exist in her world, regardless if they exist in ours. The tram arrived and we went on deeper into the cemetery.



Each of the tombstones are four feet of white marble, 2 feet above and 2 feet below ground. Any soldier interred at Arlington receives one of these markers unless the family pays for a larger headstone or other type of grave marker.

The arrangement of the markers is meant to reflect the formation of soldiers standing at attention. As we rode the tram or strolled along the paths, the hills were covered with these markers as far as we could see. One of the tram narrators said that there are over 600 acres at Arlington and over 200,000 soldiers interred there.



One of the narrators informed us that the grounds once belonged to Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army. Or rather, his wife. After the start of the Civil War there was a $97 tax levied against the property. Not wanting to venture through enemy territory General Lee refused to pay the tax. His wife suffered from severe arthritis and couldn't make the journey to pay it either. The land was seized and turned into Arlington National Cemetery where soldiers from the Civil War, both Union and Confederate, are buried. Of course, due to the inaccurate records kept at the time, many are without names.



The Kennedy family grave site was, of course, one of the most popular stops for visitors. The tram emptied as we made our way up the hill to the eternal flame. I don't know what I was expecting but it was different than what was in my minds eye. Simpler maybe, but no less moving.



The Tomb of the Unknowns, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is amazing. The changing of the guard is a must see when visiting. It's nothing as grand or ornate as the guard change at Buckingham Palace. This guard change is one of honor and duty, not ceremony and showmanship.



The crowd was nearly silent during the exchange of duty. The faint clicking of cameras the only sound aside from the orders shouted by the guards and the clicking of their heels.



Looking up as we were leaving the cemetery the clouds began to gather and darken. Rain was imminent and only held off long enough for us to make it to the car.

The pattering rain drops on the windshield echoing the sound of taps as a funeral procession passed us on its way to Arlington National Cemetery to say good bye to a fallen hero.

We have been fortunate with the weather during this trip. As we left Philadelphia the rain began and so it is as Washington DC filled our rear view mirror.