Arlington National Cemetery

While we were in Washington, D.C., I took the boys to the Arlington National Cemetery.  By myself.  No, it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to do, but I really wanted to make it happen, so I was just brave and did it.  I thought that it was an important thing for the boys to see.

I explained to them right before we went in that there were special rules, and that they had to behave respectfully while inside.  And they did a fantastic job.  Although I know it was tough for them, because there are a lot of open green spaces that look just perfect for a run and tumble and imaginary game of football.




We took a tour of the cemetery. The first stop was the Kennedy Gravesites.  We got off the tram and walked up the hill to see the eternal flame there.  Then we got back onto the tram to go to the next stop, which was the Tomb of the Unknowns.



Connor and Lex really wanted to see the soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns. (As did I.) We stayed at the Memorial Amphitheater long enough to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony.  It was a really long time for the boys to sit still and silent, but they managed it.  I also had the foresight to turn my cell phone to silent as we were sitting there, and it's a good thing that I did.  When we left that area, I checked my phone and had four (FOUR!) missed calls.





The final stop on our tour was the Arlington House and Robert E. Lee Memorial.  We were so tired by this time that the kids didn't even want to get off the tram to go inside, so we just admired the views from our tram seats.

We visited the Cemetery on September 11th.  (Yes, I know how behind I am in telling these stories.  Ahem.)  We arrived at the Cemetery shortly after President Obama had been there to pay his respects, so we missed him.  Connor thought it was amazing that we were there on the same day that the President had been there.  I really wanted to get around to see the September 11th Pentagon Monument, as well as the Pentagon itself, but we didn't have time.  I expect that we will make a return visit again in the future when the kids are much older, but I didn't want to put off the experience until then.  I figured that it would mean something to them now, even if it will mean something different to them when we go again.