Arlington National Cemetery - The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 Here Rests in Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But to God 

Our first place to visit was the Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We were let off in front of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.  And we were cautioned that this was a place that commanded silence and respect.

It was upon this backdrop our Army Vets decided to take their group picture.  

Everywhere, we were reminded of the somber attitude of respect.

Respect for the Soldier.

After this change of guard, we had the privilege of watching the wreath laying ceremony by our own Logan County Veterans.

One aspect of the Arlington National Cemetery that was so mind numbing was the sheer number of gravestones.  This picture was simply a small section that was viewable from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but everywhere you looked, there were rows and rows of soldier graves.

Another highlight of the visit to the cemetery was the mast of the USS Maine.  The Maine blew up in the harbor in Cuba and prompted the start of the Spanish American War.  The gravestones around the mast are the graves of the men lost in the explosion. On December 28, 1899, 165 remains (63 known, 102 unknown) were reinterred in Section 24, with a full military honors service.

One of the couples with whom we became friends was Mike and Linda.  Funny how things turn out.  When we introduced ourselves, we naturally asked where they lived.  Turns out they are from Lakeview, about 7 blocks away from our house.  I thought they looked familiar. Linda and Mike both worked at the Donut Shop on the Lake.  Chance meetings are amazing.  Mike served in the Army during the Viet Nam war.  Upon return, he remembers the poor welcome at a vet.  I hope we never do that again.  

Across the street from the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater was a famous gravestone.

Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor, songwriter, and rancher. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for valor that he demonstrated at the age of 19 for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket in France in January 1945, then leading a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition.

Spontaneous, memorable, but...
Typical military.  Hurry up to muster, then stand about smartly.  Well, after watching the Changing of the Guard, they decided to take a group picture on the steps of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.  We all took our positions on the steps.  All these Vets in their red shirts, wearing their Vet hats.  And at that moment a group of students walked by and clapped, an ovation.  That was outstanding.  Another group decided to walk by and shake our hands.  Someone asked where they were from.  Michigan.  Uh-oh.  Immediately, the chant started.  OH...IO!! OH...IO!!!

Not so bad, except, we were in a silent area and we were no where near silent.  It was a spontaneous, memorable reaction.  Just not one to be repeated.

Next Post - US Marine Corps War Memorial