Vosslings Adventure Part 2- Day 19

Day 19

Wednesday, July 6, 2016       Washington DC!

Today we had to wait until 11am to do any sight seeing because we had to pack up the RV and move over TWO spots. Ridiculous I know but someone had reserved that spot so we had to wait until the other guy checked out first. After that was done, we grabbed the train from College Park, Maryland, straight to the Pentagon. When we emerged from the subway, it was a blistering 97 degrees outside. We walked around the Pentagon over to the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. We only had to walk half mile but we were dripping with sweat and the heat radiated up your legs. I wished I could take a few photos of the Pentagon but it was strictly prohibited. The Memorial was a piece of art. Stunning sculptures with moving water under each name of those who perished in the Pentagon and on the plane on 9/11. The rows are in order from date of birth. The youngest person that died that day was born in 1998. She was as old as our daughter. Very sad moment.

When we were done, we couldn't find a way to get to the Arlington Cemetery which we could see from where we were standing at the Pentagon. No train takes you from the Pentagon to Arlington Cemetery and the trains were very delayed today anyway. Josh asked the Guard and he said we could get to it real quick if we walk. It's only TWO miles that way! Are you kidding me... Guess what, we walked a 2 mile stretch of highway outside of the Pentagon. I think we are crazy. The kids were troopers. We were soaked by the time we arrived at the gates. Fortunately, we weren't the only ones. Inside the building people were all hot and sticky after walking Arlington Cemetery. We grabbed some A/C and water and took a few minutes before walking around the Cemetery. As we were heading out the back door, we saw a trolly giving tours. OH YA BABY! Josh was all over that! We grabbed tickets for a guided tour of the beautiful Arlington Cemetery.

The tour of the cemetery was very informative. It was heartbreaking. The history and honor is grand here. These lives are celebrated and honored like no other place I know. The property where loved ones are laid to rest is a stunning hillside. We saw people resting at the stone of a loved one and some just trying to locate a particular stone. We went to the grave of the Unknown Soldiers which was guard kept. Across the Stone reads "Here rests in honored glory, an American Soldier known only but to GOD" We had perfect timing arriving at the Amphitheater to see the guards change. It was quite the event. Very formal changing of the guards. It was very memorable.

9/11 Pentagon Memorial 

It's hard to see but on the bottom, it says September 11, 2001 9:37am. 

Memorial is a piece of art 

across the front of each wave is the persons name that perished that day. 

Our 2 mile walk along the highway from the Pentagon to Arlington Cemetery

Fountain outside the gate at Arlington Cemetery

Precious stones

raw footage

The kids outside the Amphitheater 

Inside the Amphitheater

Guard Change

Guard Change procedure

The kids in front of Unknown Soldier memorial

The Soldiers taking down the flag at 5pm