Yesterday we decided to tour Arlington Cemetery, the African American Museum, and the Holocaust Museum. Heavy content for the most part.
Arlington Cemetery is 640 acres and is an “active” cemetery. Yesterday there were 24 funerals taking place. There are funerals daily except on Sundays and National holidays. Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington is the most stringent of all U.S national cemeteries. The only people allowed to be buried underground are military who have served at least 20 years and Presidents (if they choose to do so). However, most veterans who have at least 1 day of active service and an honourable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment.
The military being buried underground are ALL brought in on a military carriage with 4 solders (on their horses) and 3 other horses with no rider. Some funeral processions also had a military band leading the way. We heard a lot of gun salutes as well, so we believe they are all provided this. It was very moving. We got a couple of pics from further away as you are not allowed to take pictures of the funeral due to privacy. (Makes sense)
We saw the Tomb of the unknown soldier, which has been guarded 24/7, 365 days a year since 1948!! The soldiers guarding the Tomb are from the 3rd infantry regiment, “The Old Guard”. Guarding the Tomb is considered one of the highest honours. Fewer than 20% of all volunteers are accepted for training and of those only a fraction pass training to become full-fledged Tomb Guards.
Separate pics of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Guard. The Guard has a very specific march and tapping of the shoes, which was very cool. Last picture showing up blurry, sorry about that !
The African American museum was our next stop. It was by far the best museum in Washington in our opinion. There are three floors underground which we were unaware of, and these three floors were incredible. You go down to the last level and work your way slowly up to street level again (no stairs just a gentle slope). These three floors are the history of Slavery, starting at the beginning and ending present day. The above ground floors were dedicated to the accomplishments of Black Americans, like Oprah and the William’s sisters.
There was also a couple of rooms where you could go in individually and record your own story. We were glad they were there, and sad that so many people were sitting waiting to go in. We hope one day we can all live without discrimination and oppression.
Here are the pictures
And now the Holocaust Museum. When you arrive to go in, you are each encouraged to grab a “card”. Each card is the picture and story of someone who lived or died in the Holocaust. My individual had lived, Barb’s had not.
You then get to elevators, which are metal and ominous like going into a large furnace I suppose. When you get off the first picture you see is frankly shocking. We could not bring ourselves to take a picture of it, it was so horrific and sad, so we took a picture of the wall that just said Holocaust. The evolution of this time in history and the voices and stories you heard throughout the museum were sobering. It was really well done and would encourage a visit if you are so inclined to learn more.
I will add that there was one more place where we did not take pictures, as we did not go in. It was a room with a waterfall. This room was for individuals who are overcome with grief, emotion and need a place to recover. There are individuals throughout the museum to help such people to this place of peace.
BIG day for us, at the end we were drained, but so glad we experienced all that we saw. Tomorrow we do Washington at night!