Washington DC - Arlington/U.S. Capitol

One of the things we did while Nancy was here was to take the train to Arlington and then take the tram tour around the cemetery. You cannot drive in there so you either take the tour or walk and since it was in the 90's, we decided the tour sounded like the best bet.

Arlington is the best known of more than one hundred national cemeteries in the United States. It has over 290,000 servicemen and their family members from every war that has involved the nation. Many famous veterans are buried here such as Audie Murphy, John J. Pershing and George C. Marshall, just to name a few.

In 1864, Mrs. Lee was unable to comply with a wartime practice requiring property owners in areas occupied by U.S. troops to personally pay their taxes. The Federal Government confiscated Arlington House and its surrounding property, setting aside 200 acres as Arlington National Cemetery. By war's end, 16,000 graves filled the spaces close to the house. Heir to the property, Custis Lee sued the government for disputing his claim to ownership. After the Supreme Court ruled in Lee's favor, Congress paid him $150,000 for title to the land. Lee's home still stands as a sentinel, overlooking the cemetery.
Just east of the amphitheater, you can attend the timeless rituals of honor at the Tomb of the Unknowns. A World War I soldier was entombed here in 1921. Also entombed is a serviceman from World War II and Korea. Here a sentinel of the Third U.S. Infantry maintains the vigil around the clock. The sentinel paces 21 steps down the mat before the tomb, pauses 21 seconds, and returns. The changing of the guard takes place every half hour in the summer. This is one of the most moving memories I will ever have. Every move of the sentinels was extremely precise, even in the 90 degree weather.

Of course, no visit is complete without a visit to the Eternal Flame at the Kenndy gravesites. Here are buried John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy Onasis, their son Patrick and a baby girl who died during birth.Down the path and around the corner is a small white cross that marks the grave of Robert F. Kennedy, the President's brother, Attorney General, and Senator.
Another neat place we toured while Nancy was with us was the U.S. Capitol Building. Shirley had gotten some tickets from their representative for a tour for all of us so we headed back downtown to learn a little about the capitol. The tour lasted over three hours. We saw the old Supreme Court Chamber which was used from 1810-1860. Here the court heard landmark cases that established its authority to interpret the Constitution. Note the large clock in the picture. It was ordered by Chief Justice Taney in 1837 and at that time he had the clock set five minutes fast so there could be no excuse for a justice's tardiness, a practice which is still followed today.
The rotunda where the President's lie in state, was magnificent. It is 96 feet in diameter and 180 feet in height and connects the House and Senate. The statues in the rotunda are primarily of presidents. During the War of 1812, the British burned down the capitol which was rebuilt in later with a copper dome and extended wings.We also toured the room where the President gives his "State of the Union" address. It appeared much smaller than it does on TV, but it was still an awe-inspiring experience to sit in the mezzanine and picture the President there in front of you.

There's still more to come with additional visits to museums, memorials, and the zoo. So come back to visit whenever you can and learn more about our wonderful capitol visit.