Honoring Our Veterans...

 THE GEOGRAM WEEKLY...

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY

 One chilly afternoon while I was in Alexandria Burt and I visited Arlington National Cemetery.  We planned to witness the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  However, the custodian told us that due to repairs on the grounds the public was restricted to a distance.  

The walk to the site was lengthy, solemn and peaceful.  Several trees still wore their fall-colored leaves.  Gentle music of birds chirping floated through the silence.  Blue sky alternated with gray and white clouds. Thousands of grave markers covered green hills and flat areas.   

                                                

We were able to get close enough to view the 1PM changing of the guard and I was able to get a video from a distance. 

 

View of Washington DC from Arlington Cemetery

On our walk back to the entrance we decided to look for President Kennedy's burial plot.

Near the grave we noticed a number of trees with pale pink blossoms even on December 1!

Grave of President John Kennedy with the eternal flame and the Arlington house in the background

View of Washington Memorial from Arlington 

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THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL

I have a sister-in-law who lost her brother in the Vietnam War.  

Burt and I looked up his name in the register book. 

JONES ROBERT MORRIS

We found the panel his name is engraved on.

REFLECTIONS

     Walking through Arlington Cemetery, The Vietnam memorial and other war memorials brought deep emotions to me.  I hurt for our young people and families who give up lives to defend freedom. I honor the courage of those who dedicate their lives to protect us and the dignity of humanity.  

        I remember the days when young men had to register for the draft when they reached 18.  Most of the time military service was mandatory for them.  My children did not grow up in that era, yet 5 of my seven, 2 girls and 3 boys, volunteered for service; three of their spouses did as well.  Only one saw short term front line war.  I felt like evil had invaded our family.  He returned home safely. 

     War is such a sad, invasive part of life through the centuries.  I look forward to the future in which God promises in the Bible that there will be no  more war here on earth. 

This has been a good GeoGram week in the life of Gram G.

"He [Jesus] will judge between the nations and settle disputes for many people. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."  (Isaiah 2:4)