Living in suburban Maryland, I'm only a short trip to Washington DC and the many memorials to our Veterans of all wars. I'm not able to go down there today but I've been there many times in the past. Here are a few photos from the past years visits.
The military remembers it's own at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetary. Dedicated to those soldiers who's remains couldn't be identified. Known only to God.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24/7/365 by one of their own. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb is meticulous in its execution, and compelling in its meaning.
With a precision only the military can achieve, the gravesites can be seen in any direction. Together forever.
It took far too long for the country to honor those veterans from WWII with their own Memorial. Many of the veterans never got the chance to see how the country chose to honor their huge accomplishment to humanity. Every day you can see the last of the generation sitting on stone benchs with their memories.
Too bad the "War To End All Wars," didn't.
The Memorial consists of two large, identical, pavillions. One dedicated to the war in the Atlantic, and the mirror image to the war in the Pacific. Smaller memorials dedicated to each State and Territory who sent their own to fight for freedom.
The wall of stars in front of a small reflecting pool. I was told by a park employee that each star represents 100 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. There are 4,000 stars on the wall. Far too many.
Korea, the forgotten war. Statues of soldiers on patrol, thousands of miles from home. Its seems like that's always the case.
Large numbers that many of us have forgotten.
No truer words were ever written, especially on Veterans Day.
Reflecting wall with the ghostly images of veterans of the Korean War.
There is no more compelling Memorial than the Vietnam Memorial. The start black granite, with the names of soldiers who never returned can't adequately be described. When you experience it, you will never be the same.
The reflections of the crowd on this day was a very surreal effect. The mixing of the reflections of the living with the names of the dead.
Nothing needs to be said here.
The contribution of the nurses who served in Vietnam can never be diminished.
These pictures belong to the nation and you're free to use them with the respect that they deserve.
