Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Arlington National Cemetery


Last week we went to a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
The man who passed away went to our church and was retired from the Navy. It was a difficult day for the family, so I'm glad we were able to go and be with them.
I'd never been there before, but it's a beautiful, peaceful place right in the middle of Washington, DC.
Of course we've all seen pictures of this cemetery before, but pictures alone cannot describe how massive it really is!! There are over 300,000 people buried on its 624 acres. Approximately 30 funerals are held there every weekday.



God bless all of our service men and women.




The three-volley salute.
It may be kind of hard to see
with the white uniforms and the white stones.




This was a different funeral,
but we thought it was a good picture.
Everything there is very ceremonial and precise.

~*~

The next two pictures were taken from our car
on the way to the funeral.




The Pentagon
This is the side that was attacked on 9/11.
What a sad day that was.
If you look closely above the pedestrian sign,
you can see the difference in the color of the wall.
The part that was replaced is a little bit lighter.




The Washington Monument

~*~

The weather was beautiful that day and we were able to get some great pictures. It was nice to see a few places in our nation's capital. America...home sweet home.
I hope you're all doing well. :)

Take care,
Melanie

15 comments:

  1. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I enjoyed the pictures!

    Jane

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  2. These are good pictures, though sad. You must have been extremly sneaky to get them, or else had a long zoom! I was born and raised in D.C., so these pictures are home to me!! A friend of ours died yesterday, he had asked Phil to be the pallbearer while he was still alive. So we will be having that funeral this weekend. Your wallpaper background is very pretty, I don't remember seeing it in Blogger Draft.

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  3. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Melanie! My husband was in DC last year and he told me the same thing you said about Arlington...pictures cannot do it justice. I've never been there, but hope to see it one day. Thank you for sharing the pictures!

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  4. Sorry about the loss of your friend. Many years ago when we lived in Maryland we would visit the DC area on most weekends. We did go to the Arlington Cemetery. It was a very beautiful cemetery. We also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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  5. Hi Melanie,
    So sorry about the loss of your friend.

    I visited Arlington National Cemetery many years ago when I was thirteen years old. My mom, brother and I were visiting my sister who lived in Virginia at the time.

    Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  6. A sad loss indeed. What a beautiful service, and what a gorgeous day indeed....that place is amazing, you captured it well.

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  7. I am glad you and your husband could be at the funeral of someone you cared for and help all dealing with their loss. I was at Arlington five years ago. It is such a pretty place. I was impressed with how they try to be so dignified with the funerals that are held there and will even close off parts of Arlington to the public for funerals of "ordinary people" (of course no one who serves in our military is ever ordinary but a true hero indeed!


    we are doing good; hope you guys are settling into the new school year

    betty

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  8. I am sorry for the loss of your friend, Melanie! Praying for the family!

    I didn't realize you lived in VA. We are in Luray. Where are you? Or have I already asked you that? LOL I can't remember!

    Blessings~
    Laura

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  9. i have never been to this cemetery, but it important we recognize those who fought for freedom. that was important that you spent time with this family of this man. take care. rose

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  10. Hi Melanie what beautiful photos. Sorry about the passing of someone from your church. I guess your hubby has to be ready to deal with such things being a Pastor. My mom has always wanted to go to Washington and all the things you seen along the way or home are places she would like to see. California is a long way away, we once lived in New York that would have been the time to go to DC or when I was born in Delaware.
    I have never been to VA but been to a lot of states since my dad also served in the USAF. Have a wonderful Blessed Friday! big hugs

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  11. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend...never new there were so many acres to this cemetery....thanks for sharing the pictures. Trish

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  12. My daughter and son in law were living in Virgnia while he finished his officers training from the Naval Academy. We visited DC and the cemetery is moving. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Thankful for his sacrifice and service to make our country the land of the free and truly the home of the brave.

    My son in law deploys in May....

    God Bless,
    Virginia

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  13. Loosing a friend is heartbreaking and I'm sorry for your loss.

    I like the photography and it is hard to picture such a large cemetery...

    God bless all our soldiers....past and present.

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  14. One of my near-future goals is to take a family trip to Washington, D.C. Thanks for the beautiful pictures--they make me want to go all the more!

    Blessings
    Becky

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  15. Hi, Melanie, So sorry to hear about your friend. You did get some great pictures. I haven't been to Washington, DC in a LONG time, and I have never been to the Arlington Cemetery. I enjoyed seeing your pictures. Have a good week! Karen

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