We headed up to Duncan Family Campground in Lothian Maryland a day early so we could grab one more day to see the sites. The weather was wonderful for our entire stay. Today we drove to Arlington because it was a Sunday and we thought "free parking" in D.C. would allow us to grab a few more sites before heading back to the campground. Oh how silly of us. The place was packed with tourist so it was an easy decision to take the Metrolink in for the next three days. But back to Arlington.
Our first stop after walking through the visitor's center was to head up towards the Arlington House and the graves of John Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Along the way we spotted this cute little squirrel talking to the spirit of Harry Ogden.The Eternal Flame at John Kennedy's Grave.
John Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis buried side by side.
One on each side are the two deceased infants, Patrick Kennedy and Arabella Kennedy, both died in infancy.
The view from the grave sites was stunning. The National Mall spread out across the top of the photo and the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial laid out before us.
Under this tombstone are the bodies of 2,011 unknown soldiers gathered from Bull Run July 1861. The first major battle in Virginia at the beginning of the Civil War. It was from this battle and the defeat of the Union that Thomas Jackson got the nickname of Stonewall.
Major General Philip Kearny, d. 1814
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Arlington National Ampitheater
Field Marshall Sir John Dill
The Arlington House.
If this is large enough to read then enjoy. If not it basically says that the Arlington House, part of a huge estate owned by the Custis Family was seized by the Federal Union during the Civil War. General Lee, who had married Mary Custis, daughter of George Washington Custis, whose father was the natural son of Martha Washington and adopted son of George Washington. He built the house as a memorial to George Washington, his step-grandfather then willed it to his daughter. Robert and Mary Lee lived on the estate and when President Lincoln asked him to head the Union Army to suppress the Confederates he refused and instead took command of the Confederate Army under Jefferson Davis. This did not sit well with the Union and he was as much as labeled a traitor. He went off to war and Mary fled to Virginia. The Federal took possession of the house and on the grounds buried 7,000 soldiers. The Lee's never lived in the house again, opting not to live in a cemetery. The Lee's son, George Washington Custis Lee claimed the house and demanded it be returned to the Lee family. In 1882 the Supreme Court upheld his claim. He subsequently sold the grave land to the US for $150,000 and kept the house. At this time there are approximately 400,000 soldiers buried at Arlington. Arlington House in 1925 became a memorial to Robert E. Lee.
Winter at Arlington
We left the cemetery to find the Memorial to Iwo Jima.
There were originally six soldiers raising the flag, three died during the battle.
This is the original photo with the six Marines involved. This was the first flag to be raised that morning. A larger flag was decided upon and four Marines took charge. It was the photo of the four Marines that photographer Joe Rosenthal captured raising the second flag. It is also that second photo that was used to make the monument.. Three Marines died that day.
Michael Strank #4 and Harlon Block #6 also died at Iwo Jima.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
So that was the end of a long day, a long walk and a day heavy on emotions. To see all these sites after only viewing them in photos or video for 64 years was moving. What a fantastic day and so much more to see. Thanks for sharing our adventures. Come back soon.
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