Arlington National Cemerty and DC at night.

Arlington National Cemetery, the most famous cemetery in the country, is the final resting place for many of our nation's greatest heroes, including more than 300,00 veterans of every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is a burial vault containing the remains of three unidentified service members, one each from World War I, World War II and the Korean War.  Each Unknown has been awarded the "Medal of Honor".  The unknown for the Vietnam War was identified and his remains were interred and then re-interred near his home.

The tomb is guarded continuously by the 3rd U S Infantry, the oldest active duty infantry in the Army. The Changing of the Guard is a MUST experience if you are ever here!  Andy was in tears !

Change of the Guard

On average, 28 burials occur each weekday, for a total of nearly 6,900 each year.  Flags at Arlington National Cemetery are flown at half-staff from 30 minutes prior to the first funeral until 30 minutes past the last funeral.

We heard, well I did,  Taps being played and the 21 gun salute far in the distance.

President John F. Kennedy and the eternal flame

We took the tour but didn't real use it after the second drop off point.  It is fairly easy and doesn't take that much effort.  It was a waste of time and money.   I asked, because I am told to every time I spend money, if they give a military discount.  Nope !  I find it very interesting that everywhere, but Washington DC, they give military discounts.  Hummm !!



We decided to take a segway tour, at night, of Washington DC. So Glad we did ! It was a blast! Thank you blogger friend!   It is one thing to see it during the day but at night it sure looks so much different.  I am not suggesting not to see it during the day. I highly recommend both !  The Segway's were an excellent way to see the city.  Some suggest doing it first (day or night) so you can then decide what you want to go back to see.  We were glad we saw the city then opted for the night tour.

The tour started at 7:15pm and ended about 9:30 pm.  They are so easy and fun.  Afterwards we hung around the area and had a little fufu snack and drinks. Andy's favorite !  We didn't get back on base until after 11:30 pm. Yes, Andy was still awake but not for long.  lol

So here we are in front of the White House

Can't remember what building this is...looked cool at night though !

The World War II memorial was amazing during the day but spectacular at night.

Otto and Floyd this is for you. ..WWII Memorial

WWII Memorial fountain at night.

Washington Monument still covered in scaffolding lol

Washington DC Part Two

The United States Capitol is the most widely recognized symbol of democratic government in the world. It has housed the crooks, oh I mean Congress, since 1800.  Just checking if you are really reading this...lol

On September 18, 1793 the cornerstone was laid by President Washington.  In 1800, when the government moved from temporary quarters in Philadelphia to Washington DC., the Capitol was an unfinished brick and sandstone building.

Me and the Capitol

Bronze Statue of Freedom on top of the Capitol

The Rotunda is the heart and center of the Capitol.

The Apotheosis of George Washington inside the dome ...1865

One of the four paintings, in the Rotunda, depicting the American Revolution.

The original plaster model of the Statue of Freedom

After the tour we decided to have lunch here in the Capitol.  The restaurant is huge and has about anything you would want.  The food was pretty good too! We both had sushi.



The Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, is right next door to the Capitol. You can walk through the tunnel from the Capitol to the Library.  Thomas Jefferson's personal collection of more than 6,000 volumes formed the basis of the national library.

The Thomas Jefferson Building, the centerpiece of the  three library buildings on Capitol Hill, opened in 1897. Its artistic decorations relate to Learning, Literature, Knowledge, Creativity and Intellectual Achievement. Throughout, you will see symbols: for example, Roman Goddess "Minerva" is the protector of civilization and the goddess of universal knowledge.

The Library was the first building in Washington DC to be constructed with electricity installed.It is the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.  The library contains 30 million books, 61 million manuscripts and extensive files of maps.

The most beautiful building in Washington DC, in my option. I know ...I know !

The only thing that would have made it better is if we had actually been allowed to go into the library!

Library of Congress

Amazing...reminded me of the fountain in Rome!

George Washington acquired Mount Vernon in 1754 and spent the next 45 years of his life expanding his home.

In 1799 Mt Vernon was a large plantation of 8000 acres and 316 slaves, as well as indentured and hired servants.  In his will, he freed all the slaves that he owned.

Most of the furnishings are original including the leather chair in the study he used as the first President of the United States.

George Washington died here at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799 and his will directed that he be buried on the estate. He selected a site for a new brick tomb...he, his wife, Martha and other family members are interred there.

The Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union has privately owned  the estate since 1858.

Mount Vernon

Andy's view sitting on the front porch over looking the Potomac River

George Washington Tomb

We had the chance to visit many, there are 18, of the Smithsonian Museums here in the Washington DC.  They are all free and easy to get to from the Subway.

We ran through them fairly quick..it could take you days just for one if you plan on reading and seeing every display.  We averaged 2 museums a day. A lot of the areas you aren't allowed to take pictures .

This was Andy's favorite

Andy here...one of my favorite things that we couldn't photograph was the actual flag that the Star Spangled Banner was written about....very moving.

How would you like to have this now...Apple Computer !  A cell phone can do more now !

First thing I would do as your President !

Of course no day is complete with out Andy having some "wine". 

She was happy to see Oregon was an important part of the history of wine

For some reason... first Fred Meyer on Sandy Blvd in Portland

Next museum was the National Museum of Natural History

Andy and her bones...she asked me to take this picture ! LOL

In the center of the Rotunda

Oldest known rock on earth

Stone from Mars !

Hope Diamond..Andy had to see this...Just looks like glass to me.

Next up is the National Air and Space Museum;

Toilet for space..have to strap yourself on !

We wanted to take a tour of the Pentagon but it is locked down tight... our military ID didn't do us any good here.  What kind of crap is this !  According to Chuck, I am still subjected to the UCMJ...  I HAVE MY RIGHTS THEN !!!  Think I will use the chain of command on this one....or the IG....maybe even a congressional...lol

However, we were able to walk around the Pentagon Memorial.  The memorial captures the moment in time at 9:37 am when 184 lives intertwined for eternity.  Each victim's age and location at the time of the attack have been permanently  inscribed into the Memorial by a unique placement and direction of each of the memorials units.

Each Memorial Unit is placed specifically positioned in the memorial to distinguish victims who were in the Pentagon from those who were on board American Airlines flight 77.

Bench Points in the direction of the attack...with name on each bench

Andy's comments-What a week!  We have seen and experienced so much with a week still to go!  The Smithsonian Museums are everything, and more, you have ever heard.  I believe, I have learned more in the last week than in the last 20 years of my life!  So much history, so many forms ! A museum literally for everyone.  I hope all of you who have not been to this city have an opportunity to do so.  This City has every aspect of what America is all about.

Washington DC

I have always wanted to visit the Washington DC area since I was a kid.  I am very lucky to be here sharing this with Andy.

We are staying at Andrews Air Force Base which is minutes away from the Branch Avenue Subway Station.  The train ride, about 20 minutes, drops you off right into the National Mall Area.  The subway system is so easy and inexpensive.  I wouldn't even think about driving. Some people take their bikes on the subway with no problem.

There are many ways to get around and see the things.  On our first day we decided to mostly walk but we did take one of those "PediCabs" from the White House to the Capital.  He rode us right down the center of Pennsylvania Ave.  I asked him if he knew what all these building were...he basically turned our bike ride into our private tour.  How cool was that !

You have to book a tour in advance if you want to see the inside of the Capital.  We will do our tour this Tuesday, August 20, 2013.

United States Capital

White House

Lincoln Memorial

Mr. Lincoln

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

We  plan on taking a evening, before we leave, to check out the monuments at night and maybe have dinner somewhere.... Andy doesn't know this yet !  Shhh !!  There are less crowds and the monuments look even grander. 



World War II Memorial honors the 16 million men and women who served in the US armed services and the 400,000 who died in the war. 

Memorial Seal

Over half a century in waiting it was finally opened to the public on April 29, 2004.  Almost all the funds were collected from private contributions.

Andy here and I will write about the World War II Memorial ;

It was an amazing tribute to all who fought in this war and commemorating all the lives that were lost. 

This memorial has had a profound impact on me because my dad is a survivor.  To thank him for his service, just 2 weeks ago, he was flown here ...all expenses paid by the Honor Flight Program. He was able to experience this memorial specifically and saw many of the sights we are seeing.   I was so fortunate to be right there... "feeling" it. I am so proud of my dad,.  There are very few World War II veterans still alive today.

Each one of the smaller pillars with rings represents a state

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1995 to 1.5 million American men and women who served in the Korean War.  The memorial includes a group of 19 statues that depict soldiers on patrol facing the American Flag.  A granite wall has a mural of the faces of 2,400 unnamed soldiers with the reading that states" Freedom is not free".

Reflection Wall

The statues were so life like

The Vietnam War Memorial honors the names of 58,256 names inscribed in chronological order of the date of casualty.  The memorial was dedicated November 13,1982. The life size sculpture was installed in the fall of 1984.  President Regan accepted the completed memorial on behalf of the nation. 

Memorial granite black wall

"They wear it on their uniform and carry the equipment of war; they are young"

Andy here again, There is a very long wall with the names of all those who died during the Vietnam War.  Many of the visitors here were searching for names of loved ones, it was quite emotional.

The memorial has volunteers working to help people in this endeavor. They even have ladders available for the out of reach names.

As we walked by we heard the volunteer ask this woman how she knew the young man's name she was looking at. She replied "He is my son"