Monday 10 August 2015

Arlington National Cemetery




I've just got back from Washington D.C and I'm on the vapours of jet lag still , it will be a holiday that I will always remember. One of the trips out we took whilst in Washington D.C was to Arlington Cemetert which might strike you as a jolly odd day out but it is no different to visiting a war memorial. The surroundings demand your upmost quiet, honour and respect and it is a time for remembering and reflection.

If you have children with you , you might not want to get off the tour bus that takes around 45 minutes to visit the various stops within the Cemetary, but it is a Cemetary that receives 25 funerals a day so some stops will be affected . However if you wish to see everything then it is going to take a few hours and you can only drink water ~ there is no eating or soft drinks allowed.

Arlington National Cemetery is located on a parcel of land that once belonged to George Washington 's adopted son, George Washington Parke Custid. In 1868, Custis left the property to his daughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis and it became the family home for her and her husband Robert E Lee.

Many years later, the grounds were used for various purposes, including serving as a camp and headquarters for Federal Troops during the Civil War and later providing a safe haven for skates transitioning to freedom. Arlington National Cemetery held its first military burial on May 13, 1864.

Today the property is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members , veterans and their families. It is a place of honour and one that doesn't glorify war in the slightest.


Notable graves include where John F. Kennedy and his family are buried in the Kennedy Family Gravesite.




You can witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb Of the Unknown soldier.




There are many memorials to see including Space shuttle challenger and Columbia , my son will be studying history at A level so I feel it's important to see as much as possible before he goes back to school.

5 comments:

  1. What an incredible experience, full of history that also makes you think about those who gave their lives so we could live ours

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  2. Wow what an incredible place and experience. I am green with envy of your holiday!

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  3. Wow what an amazing looking place, I can't wait to hear more about your trip :) x

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  4. What a beautiful and poignant place to visit

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  5. Such a sad yet beautiful place - lovely pics xxx

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