Day 9: Arlington National Cemetary, The White House, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, FDR Memorial,

Today we hit the ground running again, 6:30am breakfast, departure 7:00am.

Our first stop was Arlington National Cemetery. Here we viewed the gravesites of several heads of state, dignitaries and heroes. Our tour guide, Larry, took us on an excellent walking tour of the grounds and we saw the changing of the guards, which I know had a lot to do with ceremony, pomp & circumstance but some of the animation seemed almost comical. Still I understand the premise behind it all and the respect the 8000 unknown soldiers deserved. The wreath laying ceremony was very emotional for me and I cried at that. Larry told us that during the day the guards weapons are unloaded but that they are allowed to use deadly force if need be, however, at night they are in fatigues and armed because people have defaced the tomb with red paint, If you can believe that.

We saw the exterior of Arlington House (General Robert E. Lee’s old home), the Kennedy grave sites, there are four by the eternal flame, a baby girl they never named, a son that only lived two weeks, Jacquelyn Kennedy and John F. Kennedy. It is a beautiful gravesite and I believe he was a great man who inspired many in this country, but in the light of the honored dead that also gave their lives it seems a bit ostentatious . RFK’s site was more dignified and appropriate. We also saw the gravesites for Joe Louis and Lee Marvin. Next on the list was the Women’s War Memorial (see pics).

After Arlington we drove to the south lawn of the White House for a photo and to see the visitor’s center. It was a sad substitute for us especially when we came so far to see it. Then it was on to the Korean War Memorial, and Vietnam War Memorial also known as The Wall. Someone on the tour actually got a rubbing of someone they knew. There was a David Cutshall but no Berntson’s were there. I couldn’t help but cry when I saw the vast number of names that were snuffed out during that horrible war. They are building a new memorial at the wall for all the soldiers who died because of Agent Orange. Wanda said that if it were similar to The Wall it would have at least as many names probably more. After this somber moment we saw Embassy Row, the National Cathedral (outside only) and then the FDR Memorial which I found both beautiful and profound. His words still echo as true today as they did during his presidency. After this last memorial we dropped off Larry and headed back to the Hyatt Regency Chystal Hotel to freshen up for dinner at Tivoli’s and to say our good-byes to everyone on the tour.