Semper Fi

A few days ago I stumbled on this movie titled "Taking Chance."  It was all about a marine that volunteered to escort the bodies of soldiers killed in the Iraq War home to their families.  I was absolutely astounded at the level of respect with which the armed forces treat our fallen vets, and I bawled like a baby through most of the show.  I have been meaning to drive down to Arlington National Cemetary since I landed in RI, but the movie made it feel more urgent.  Through my ridiculous tears, I booked a hotel room and drove down to our nation's capital on September 11th, which was touching all by itself.

I've been to DC and Arlington several times but it never gets old.  It is such an amazing, peaceful area, and I feel lucky to be able to just pop down like its no big deal.  It cost me 75 bucks in tolls round trip, and though that part pissed me off, here's a bit of what happened:

I got skewered by the Wahington Monument...

I found RI at the WWII monument which was awful close to Idaho..

I need to google this monument because RI does NOT belong on the Pacific side, and it certainly doesn't belong so close to Idaho.  I must be missing something.

I also tapped Abe Lincoln on the head and thanked him for his service:

After bonding with Abe, I read the Gettysburg Address and got extra chills because I was pondering it on September 11th, and it's a darn fine speech.  Here it is if you're a slob and haven't read it...  You may have to use your zoom...

In case you've never gotten the view of the Washington Monument from Abe's perspective, here it is.  Jared calls it, "America's most famous Phallis..."

I did some other stuff on the mall but to keep you from getting bored, let's skip to the purpose of my visit; The Tomb of The Unknowns:

Isn't it lovely?  Know what's even better?

This is a tomb guard.  They are a special group of the armed forces and they guard the tomb 24/7 and 365 days a year.  They take 21 steps each way and at each pause of their watch they wait exactly 21 seconds.  Every time.  You can time them if you wish.  I always do and they are always perfect.  It is humbling to watch and I love this spot more than just about any other place on earth.  They also have a ceremony every 30 minutes or hour depending on the season where they change the guard in front of the tomb.  This time around I sat and watched two revolutions.  If you've never been, you should make it a point to go.  The US armed forces know how to honor their dead and it is a thing of amazing precision and beauty.  I didn't record it because I wanted to be in the moment, but plenty of other jackasses have, so just go to YouTube if you want a taste of how fantastic it really is.  

I rounded out my day checking out Arlington House:

I just learned about a year ago that this used to be Robert E Lee's home but when he surrendered, the government stole his house and made the grounds a cemetery so he could never come home.  Years later, the government gave his family some pitiful amount for their illegal seizure, but what could they do about it then?  Note to self:  Don't lose the Civil War...

I'm so grateful to be living in one of the states where our nation was born.  I'm so grateful for our vets - especially those that have given their lives to defend the freedoms I enjoy.  I'm grateful to have come from a family where so many members have served in the military and have taught me to love my flag, my country, and my fellow man.  I'm truly blessed to be an American.