Monday, February 20, 2006
Arlington National Cemetery 02-20-06
URL to Album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meabbott/sets/72157605987357044/
I did not set out to go to the Arlington National Cemetery today. I went to Alexandria to see the President’s Day Parade but never made it there due to three gaffes on my part. I had planned out the trip so I would be there early and take up a spot I had selected that I felt would give me a good vantage point. However, I did not account for the time it would take for me to transfer from one subway train to the other, nor did I account for the mile I would walk from the metro station. As a result, when walked out of the subway station I headed in the direction I thought I was supposed to go without looking at the street signs (ding!) and went way, WAY off. I wound up back at the metro station and decided I had already missed half the parade and there was no point in proceeding to the parade. A train going a different direction than I planned to go arrived and I got on and headed to Arlington National Cemetery.
There isn’t much to say except that it is very sobering to see the rows and rows of headstones. I had bought a ticket on the tour bus but after the first stop I decided I would walk the rest of the way. I did not see all that I wanted to see and plan to return, sans tour bus. I stayed on the road as I went between the places I went and I read some of the headstones and I knew that there was a story behind each one. The most emotional moment would have been the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I had tears in my eyes by the time I finished photographing it. This is, indeed, a very important place.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meabbott/sets/72157605987357044/
I did not set out to go to the Arlington National Cemetery today. I went to Alexandria to see the President’s Day Parade but never made it there due to three gaffes on my part. I had planned out the trip so I would be there early and take up a spot I had selected that I felt would give me a good vantage point. However, I did not account for the time it would take for me to transfer from one subway train to the other, nor did I account for the mile I would walk from the metro station. As a result, when walked out of the subway station I headed in the direction I thought I was supposed to go without looking at the street signs (ding!) and went way, WAY off. I wound up back at the metro station and decided I had already missed half the parade and there was no point in proceeding to the parade. A train going a different direction than I planned to go arrived and I got on and headed to Arlington National Cemetery.
There isn’t much to say except that it is very sobering to see the rows and rows of headstones. I had bought a ticket on the tour bus but after the first stop I decided I would walk the rest of the way. I did not see all that I wanted to see and plan to return, sans tour bus. I stayed on the road as I went between the places I went and I read some of the headstones and I knew that there was a story behind each one. The most emotional moment would have been the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I had tears in my eyes by the time I finished photographing it. This is, indeed, a very important place.
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Hey Matthew, sometimes the wayward trips are the best(I speak from experience). When traveling, so often I head out with a certain destination in mind, wonder how I finally ended up where I did. But I've never regretted it,neither did my camera!Arlington is one of the most deeply moving places I've visited, an extremely emotional experience! I've visited last about 6 years ago. Last year I found out that one of my best childhood friends from Germany (also witness to our wedding) has been laid to rest there. And although it makes me very sad, after looking at your album reminding me what the beautiful spot it is, looking at our Nations incredibly beautiful capital, I felt strangely at peace! Thank you! Marita (Worldtripper/3)
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