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While in Washington DC last year, I decided to visit the Arlington National Cemetery during one of my final visits of the holiday, and what a fantastic tribute it is. We’re going to take a look at my thoughts about this respectful and peaceful place in today’s blog.
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When planning my US trip last year, I wanted to make sure that I was covering a few different angles – socialising, meeting new people, learning more about US culture and history, and really seeing the full spectrum available to me as a tourist.
This plan helped me see museums, landmarks, go to baseball games and a whole lot more. One of the more understated, yet incredibly powerful parts of the trip, however, was when I got to see places like Arlington. If you haven’t heard of the Arlington National Cemetery before, it’s a U.S. military cemetery located in Arlington, Virginia, that honours over 400,000 veterans and their families from every conflict in American history.
The cemetery has a few key places to see, as you make your way respectfully over the premises. I would love to show you some photos; however, I felt that it wasn’t too appropriate for me to take them, so I’ll have to give you a summary here instead:
Arlington House
Arlington House was built between 1802 and 1818 by George Washington Parke Custis. He was the adopted grandson of George Washington, and the house was built as a tribute to Washington himself. From the house, you can see:
- Thousands upon thousands of white headstones, full of history, stories and familial love, stretching into the distance
- The Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial beyond them
It really puts into perspective the scale of sacrifice that so many members of the Armed Forces across the world make, and is beyond humbling in a way that photos and textbooks can never replicate.
John F. Kennedy’s Gravesite and the Eternal Flame
I had the honour of standing at the resting place of one of the most significant figures of the 20th century, John F Kennedy. There is an eternal flame which burns alongside his grave, which many say symbolises how his legacy will never fade. His wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, is buried next to him, with his children also being located nearby.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard
This was probably the most powerful moment of the entire visit. It’s something that I’d highly recommend watching, if you ever get a chance to visit Arlington.
I stood in silence and watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony, where a soldier performs a precise and practiced routine, which consists of:
- 21 steps forward
- 21 seconds pause
- 21 steps back
Every movement is intentional, and every second is respectful. It’s such a poignant and respectful tradition, one that I hope will carry on for many days to come.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents soldiers who were never identified, people who gave their all and whose families never got closure. Yet the country never forgot them. It’s a place where people can come to remember those who are no longer with us, to remind them that they are loved and remembered, and that their sacrifice and legacy will live on forever.
I’m eternally grateful for being able to visit Arlington National Cemetery and getting to learn such a lot about the brilliant place that it is. I think it’s so important to see places like this, learn of their history and move forward in life with their knowledge and lessons learnt in our minds.
Thanks a lot for reading and I hope you have a lovely day, no matter what you have planned for it 🩵
James
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