After a safe cruise up the Potomac, we were tied up at our slip and literally just ½ a mile from the National Mall. Nearly all of the monuments and museums were within walking or biking distance and we were ready to explore!
Our first order of business was to walk over to the National Mall and just take in the sights. In the middle of the mall was the beautiful Washington Monument (554 ft tall) bordered on to the West by the Lincoln Memorial and U.S. Capitol to the East. The lawn between the monuments were meticulously maintained and it was busy with folks coming and going to all the attractions.
One of the great benefits of cruising by boat is that we bring our “home” along with us. In Washington, we were able to explore the museums and monuments and when we got tired or needed a break, the boat was close by and we just took a break!
After walking around the National Mall, we made our way over the U.S. Holocaust museum just north of the Mall. They don’t charge for admission, but they do recommend that you have a reservation & time to be admitted due to the high demand. Being a history buff, I thought I had seen all there was to see on the various History, Discovery, NatGeo channels on TV about the Holocaust.
Walking thru the exhibit, it became so real and the faces and stories hit you hard as we read the various accounts of survivors. I thought about taking pictures while inside but it just didn’t feel right to me and would have been a distraction. I wanted to immerse myself in the moment and give the exhibit the time and respect that it deserved. I’ll admit, it was difficult to see some of the images and video that were presented. For the extremely raw and difficult images, they provided warnings so if you wanted to pass by, you could.
Now I did take one picture while inside and it’s below. For me it was symbolic of many of the documentaries that I had seen before and really hit me for what it was. You were allowed to walk thru the rail car and see the inside and could just imagine the horror of those who were rounded up and shipped off to the concentration camps. It was a moment that I’ll never forget.
See this link for more info: https://www.ushmm.org/
Our next stop involved a short bike ride over the Potomac river to Arlington National Cemetery that serves as the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of men and women who’ve sacrificed and served in our Armed forces to protect this great Country.
After clearing security, we made the walk up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In the summertime, the changing of the guard occurs every 30 minutes and during the wintertime, every hour. This occurs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – rain, snow or shine. It was another somber event to witness in person! The precision and dedication that the soldiers undertake is so impressive. Below is an excerpt from the website for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:
“The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” was designated as the Army’s official ceremonial unit on April 6, 1948. At that time, The Old Guard began guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”
“Soldiers who volunteer to become Tomb Guards must undergo a strict selection process and intensive training. Each element of the Tomb Guard’s routine has meaning. The Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns and faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, and then takes 21 steps down the mat. Next, the Guard executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place his/her weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. The number 21 symbolizes the highest symbolic military honor that can be bestowed: the 21-gun salute.”
https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier
We stayed at the Tomb and watched the changing of the guard 3 times that day (it wouldn’t be our only visit). Each was as impressive as the last and I noticed that with each change, there would be a new contingent of visitors, many wearing the same colored T-shirts. As I looked closer, I saw that they referenced “Honor Flights” which is an organization that fly’s veterans to Washington D.C. to visit Arlington National Cemetery. Some of those Veterans were clearly dealing with intense emotions and memories while I could only imagine what they had gone thru during their service and return home.
After a long day of exploring, it was time to head back to the boat and rest up for another day of exploration!
