Just a Few Pics from My Trip

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Above is the Changing of the Guard and below is the New Guard in place. The Tomb contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict and (until 1998) the Vietnam War. The Tomb is guarded 24/7 all year long by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).

President George Washington and Martha Washington's Graves located at their estate in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. Some school children brought flowers for the grave/tomb. The worker opened up the gate for the children to place them inside. I was lucky to be able to see it all opened up.

Door Handle and Keyhole to President Washington's Old Tomb. He was buried inside here initially until they dedicated a new tomb just up the hill on his estate in Mt. Vernon.

These were just a few pictures from my trip to D.C. I know many of you have seen some of the images in your own way/trip, but I had to display them for myself. It was an amazing trip for me. My first to D.C. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this great nation. Several highlights (I may post those photos later) of my trip were seeing all of the amazing monuments, a few of the Smithsonian's (bummed they didn't have my Great Uncle's Picture displayed anymore in the Air and Space Musuem --T. Keith Glennan), going on a ghost tour on Halloween in Old Town, eating mussels (Jason- it was clams and all), viewing the newly dedicated Pentagon Memorial, touring inside and up George Washington's Monument, touring inside the Capitol (tunneling under it from Senator Hatch's office from a block away), going to the Temple, taking the Metro everywhere (except I drove myself to Mt. Vernon in our 1 day rental--a big fear conquered), seeing the Archives of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence (John Hancock is a relative of mine ;) ) and touring the White House. While inside the White House on the West Wing, I looked out the window looking toward the south lawn to watch the Marine One Helicopter land and out of it walks President Bush. I was able to snap a photo on my camera phone. Shhh...no camera's were allowed, but they didn't say no the to the camera phone (well they didn't hear or see me take the picture). He came out and waved to the small crowd awaiting him out front. It was cool to think I was in the White House the same time he was.

I had an amazing time. Very humbling for me. I hope to always be grateful and in gratitude for all the men and women who lost their lives in battle for me to have the wonderful freedoms I enjoy. Inscription at the WWII Memorial: "They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together, and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation." - Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Oh, So Cool! This is Jamey Turner. He's a Wine Glass Musician and is Amazing. We got off the Trolley in Old Town and saw him on the street playing. I recorded him here playing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". You can see more on You Tube.