Arlington

I slept in a little bit and relaxed at the RAF for part of the day on Saturday before going to the National Cemetery in Arlington.  It is a sight to behold.  I spent two hours wandering through the walkways that run through the various cemeteries within the complex.  I walked past the Women's Memorial, the Tomb of President Kennedy and family (that has a flame burning at it constantly), the Arlington House that was once the property of Robert E. Lee, the Old Amphitheater, and the Memorial Amphitheater before reaching the Tomb of the Unknowns to view the Changing of the Guard.  I noticed there was a group of older Veterans all wearing orange shirts there that said they were a group from Southeastern Indiana, and a few select members where to be involved in the Presenting of the Wreath service.  Brett Bondurant was one of those members.  He is a veteran of the War in Afghanistan that lost both of his legs from an IED.  He walked down the steps with his grandfather and two other Veterans, and it was an incredibly moving experience.  My eyes began to swell and water as the bugler played Taps while my right hand was placed over my chest.  The setting sun, the pristine surroundings, and the thanks being given to such a young soldier who had already given so much in front of the embodiment of all those that were lost over the course of our nation's history was enough to move the emotional senses of any proud American.  After the conclusion of the ceremony I moved along to view some more within the Cemetery.  Some of the other areas that I came across represented those lost at the Battle of the Bulge, the Rough Riders, and the Tomb of President Taft, amongst others.  By the time I made my way back around to the entrance/exit the gates were already being closed.  I stopped to look back, and it felt like I was the last person left behind the gates.  I made my way back to the Metro station to head back home to the RAF.

Here is a link to a local news source about the Changing of the Guard event I witnessed; http://www.eaglecountryonline.com/news.php?nID=3640