A Visit to Arlington Cemetery
& The Iwo Jima Statue (US Marine Corps Memorial) and The Pentagon Memorial
On a hot summer day, it’s tempting to take the bus that takes you to J.F.Kennedy’s grave and further on to the site of the Unknown Soldiers’ tomb.
Arlington National Cemetery JFK’s grave and the eternal flame
Arlington National Cemetery JFK quote. “Ask not what your country can do for you Ask what you can do for your country…”
I much prefer to walk around and explore the many graves and memorials. Every week about 40 or more funerals are held in the area, and while we were there this summer, we heard the sound of trumpets in honour or the dead and watched flocks of Navy soldiers attending the ceremonies. It made the area so alive and touching to witness.
Arlington Cemetery. A Ceremony at The Unknown Soldiers’ grave. The Amphitheater in the background
Arlington Cemetery. A Ceremony at The Unknown Soldiers’ grave. A strict inspection.
Arlington Cemetery. A Ceremony at The Unknown Soldiers’ grave. You don’t make noises in his presence.
Hilly Arlington Cemetery. View towards The Potomac River.
Hilly Arlington Cemetery. View towards The Potomac River.
Military humour: Arlington Cemetery Memorial- “The Devils in Baggy Pants.”
Arlington Cemetery, a WWII Memorial
It was an impressive sight to watch the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. These sentinels go through great sacrifice to be able to serve as guards day and night all year round. Visiting another time, I would book a guided tour to be able to see even more than we did on our own.
A volunteer showed us the newly renovated Memorial for the unknown soldiers from the Civil War as well as an unusual grave, also from the Civil War. Major General Wallace Fitz Randolph 1841-1910, was allowed to be buried under his canon.
Arlington National Cemetery, a gravestone from the Civil war. Major General W.F. Randolph wished to be buried under his canon from the Civil War. Since then it is not allowed anymore.
National Cemetery, a gravestone from the Civil war. Major General W.F. Randolph wished to be buried under his canon from the Civil War. Since then it is not allowed anymore.
Arlington Cemetery Memorial for the 270 Lockerbie terror attack casualties in December 1988
Memorial for the 2111 unknown soldiers from the Civil War
Arlington Cemetery graves and a group of Navy soldiers waiting for a funeral
Arlington National Cemetery. 416.000 soldiers are buried since 1865
A female soldier on her way to Arlington Cemetery
I would have thanked her for her service if I could.
Passing The Pentagon on the path to the Pentagon Memorial for the victims of 9/11
The Pentagon Memorial for the victims of 9/11
The Pentagon Memorial for the victims of 9/11. Their year of birth and their names are engraved in stones scattered around in the park. The youngest was born in 1998.
When visiting Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon September 11 Memorial is nearby, and within walking distance from Metro Station Rosslyn, The Iwo Jima Statue is a must see memorial.
Iwo Jima Statue. The US flag is raised on the tiny Pacific island
Iwo Jima Statue. The US flag is raised on the tiny Pacific island
Iwo Jima Statue.
The Memorial is dedicated to all members of the Marine Corps who have died defending their country in the Pacific. Three of the six from the Pulitzer priced photo survived the war.
Categories: History, Travelling, Uncategorized, USA
From one Heart to Another 
An amazing post, Maria. There are Americans who don’t know this much or bother to visit the memorials. One can’t help but glow with pride on seeing them.
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I am honored to hear you say that. I love to show my photos, and I couldn’t help noticing that most people only went to Kennedy’s grave and the Unknowns’ Tomb.
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Last year I walked around an old cemetery in Central Florida and could seem to take enough photos of the old tombstones, reading their stories and clearing some brush. So I know exactly what you mean!!
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As you know, Henry and I do that as much as we can. In Denmark, unfortunately, many gravestones are removed when families stop paying. The many memorials are saved, but few remember why they are there.
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I never heard of that. Here, we pay for the tombstone, funeral, casket, etc. One payment for it all, no rental fee. (But it sure is a hefty payment!)
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Truly an amazing set of photos. You covered so much. More than most see. Thank you.
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Thank you again for your kind comment
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I’m loving these posts, Maria, you’re opening my eyes to a part of history I know little about.
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I am so glad you liked the post, and it’s a way to share the moments of my journey one theme at a time
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Keep them coming, please!
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