10-11 September 1985
Washington DC / Arlington, Virginia
Our first day in DC was certainly filled with moving and emotional experiences. After we left the Petersen House where President Lincoln died following his assassination at Ford’s Theater, we headed to Arlington National Cemetery, located across the Potomac River in Virginia. Here is some un-sourced information from my photo album:
The cemetery is located upon a portion of the Arlington Estate. The land was purchased in 1778 by John Parke Custis, son of Martha Washington by her first marriage. He later joined the Continental Army and served as an aide to General Washington. Upon his death, two of his four children, George Washington Parke Custis and Eleanor were adopted by George Washington. It was George Washington Parke Custis who carried on the development of the vast Arlington Estate and directed the building of the Greek Revival residence known as the Custis-Lee Mansion [now Arlington House]. His daughter, Mary Ann Randolph Custis, married Lt Robert E. Lee in 1831 and the house was in their possession at the time the Civil War broke out. The property was then taken by the US government for military purposes. Although clear title to the land was not obtained until 1883, when George Washington Custis Lee sold Arlington Estate to the US government for $150,000, the establishment of Arlington Cemetery dates back to 1864.
Over the years, Arlington Cemetery has become a cherished shrine, commemorating the lives and services of members of the Armed Forces of the United States. The remains of the dead, both known and unknown, from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, lie here. The graves of two presidents — William Howard Taft and John Fitzgerald Kennedy — are also here.
Located on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery is the white marble Memorial Amphitheater. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located on the plaza of the Amphitheater.
Parking the car, we we boarded the shuttle for a tour of the grounds. The hop-on/hop-off shuttle was an easy way of visiting some of the better known sites in these hallowed grounds.
We started off at the Eternal Flame at the JFK gravesite (and stopped by Robert Kennedy’s resting place around the corner). Construction of the permanent memorial and gravesite began in September 1965. The remains of President Kennedy and two infants, both of whom had pre-deceased their father, were removed to this gravesite on March 14, 1967, and the site was blessed by Richard Cardinal Cushing the next day.
Next, we headed up to Arlington House, home of General Robert E. Lee. He once wrote to a cousin that at Arlington House “my affections and attachments are more strongly placed than at any other place in the world.”
Distant view of DC from Arlington House; the grave of Pierre Charles L’Enfant
… engineer, artist, soldier, and architect of the Capital City … (to my right).
Our visit continued with a stop at the Memorial Amphitheater, which was dedicated in 1920. “When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the citizen,” from then-General George Washington's June 26, 1775, letter to the Provincial Congress is inscribed inside the apse. "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain," from President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is inscribed above the stage.
 |  |
In the above left image is a glimpse of the Maine Memorial through the entrance to the Amphitheater. By Act of Congress on May 9, 1910, the mast of the USS Maine was removed from Havana Harbor, and brought to Arlington to honor those who lost their lives in that historic disaster. Directly north of the monument, in a plot known as the Maine Section, are the remains of 229 decedents of whom 167 are unknowns. The names of all who lost their lives on the ship are inscribed on the memorial.
Finally, we were privileged to observe the honor guard assisting a Moroccan military attaché in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Entombed here are the remains of an American soldier of World War I, a serviceman of World War II, and one from the Korean War … representatives of all who fell in these conflicts, their identities known but to God.
We’ve been to a great many places in our travels. Some, more than others, leave a distinct impression on us. Our visit to Arlington National Cemetery falls into the latter category.
Speaking of long lasting impressions — I remember watching, as a child, a movie that starred John Wayne … The Sands of Iwo Jima. It goes without saying that when I found out that the Marine Corps War Memorial, located just outside the cemetery, depicts the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, I just had to see it. Watching the sun set as we gazed at the memorial was the perfect end to our day of sightseeing.
Not so perfect was the torrential downpour that started as we were heading back to Yenö’s apartment in DC. It was a short, but hairy drive that left us grateful that the McGhees were picking us up for our dinner date. Even in the dwindling rain, traffic was a mess, but Dwight negotiated it with ease and soon we were back in Arlington for dinner at the Windows on Washington at the Vantage Point Hotel. The clearing weather afforded a wonderful view of DC … the memorials and monuments, the Capitol, the buildings … all twinkling like jewels in the distance.
Dwight had arranged for David Busigo, another Petrolex client, to join us for dinner … a very nice surprise. We had a delightful evening … the food was delicious, the views were spectacular, and the company was first class. Both Dwight and David had entertaining and interesting stories to relate about life in DC — including how they happened to be in a limo on the 14th Street Bridge when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac in 1982. Never a dull moment.
No comments:
Post a Comment