All DC Has To Offer

 

We are trying to chip away at our "bucklist" before we head off to India. One of the things we both wanted to do was take the Muggles to see Arlington National Cemetery. This is a place that both Lady Hiva and I love to go. Not only is it beautiful, the way we are able to learn about, and honor, those who have sacrificed for our freedom. 

Normally, I like to walk when touring the cemetery, but this time Lady Hiva said that we should take the shuttle tour. It actually turned out to be a really cool thing. We went around the tour a few times because each narrator chose a different set of graves to point out and tell us about the heroic people whom have a final resting place there. 

We arrived on the shuttle just in time for the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. It was cool to learn about the history of these tombs and how the memorial was built. The precision and honor at which those that guard the tombs is a tribute to the respect that we should give to all our service men and women. It is a solemn procedure procedure where they ask us to be silent and stand. For some reason there are people that do not understand those simple requests. The captain in charge of the Changing of the guard stopped two different times, pointed at someone in the audience and asked them to stand. 

It is always great to visit Arlington House and see the history there. Much like Mount Vernon, they have worked hard to restore the house for us to experience. The house has so much history that is tied to the founding family--George and Martha Washington--and the Civil War. As we walked through the home and the nearby buildings, we read about the people that lived there. It is so heavy to me to read about slavery and the treatment of people based on race. I am so thankful for those people whom have fought for equal rights, both during the Civil War and all the years since. We are not perfect, but if enough of us strive to be better, we can make the world a more loving and accepting place. 

There are several other people buried in Arlington Cemetery that we honor. Books could be written about the lives of each of them. I loved hearing about their lives as we toured the grounds. President and Mrs. Taft, countless service men and women, prestigious leaders, judges and officers, and President Kennedy and Jackie O. are some of those notable people. 

All of these people deserve to be recognized and honored. One that I was especially excited to pay respects to was RBG--Ruth Bader Ginsberg. I was so excited to see that several other people thought the same thing. It was clear that is common as the grass from the sidewalk to her headstone has been worn with all those coming to pay tribute. As we stood there I noticed a few things: One, that she dedicated her work to make the world a better place. It was not easy, but she did it. She never gave up and people recognize her efforts. Two, that she was appointed to the Supreme Court at the age of 60. That means she did so much before that appointment and did so much after. This tells me that age should never be a reason to not strive to make the world a better place. 

Seeing President Kennedy and Jackie O gave us a chance to talk with the Muggles about the presidency and all that have held that position--and the sacrifice they, and their families, give. As we drove passed the Kennedy Center later that night, lighted in yellow and blue to support Ukraine, there was new meaning for both of them of what that building represents. 

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The museum at the Arlington House had a great exhibit about bias and how it causes us to treat others a certain way. It is cool to see how people answer profound questions about how we may hold bias and what that causes us to do when interacting with others. Both our children wanted to answer questions. 

The next stop on our DC day tour was Georgetown. Lady Hiva and I have always loved the feeling of Georgetown. The Colonial era buildings and quaint row houses have been beautifully kept. We walked along M street, took a foot tour of the canal, stopped for dinner in the sun at an Italian restaurant, and finished the tour with a stop for macarons at both LaDuree and Olivia. We love both for different flavors. 

Our last stop of the day was at St. Peter's Church on Capitol Hill. We were invited by our good friend, Anne, to come to her choral concert. It was AMAZING!! I am so glad that she invited us to go. They sang classic Christian song in Latin and written by French composers. The choir was powerful, the organ was breathtaking--and I do not say that lightly! It was astounding to see how these men and women have worked to perfect their art to honor our relationship with Deity. It was beautiful. What a great way to finish a special day together.