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.
Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
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Richard, you have stolen my breath away as I viewed these memorials of patriotism. Seeing the changing of the guard at the tomb of unknown soldiers last year was one of the most moving experiences of my life....every American needs to experience this as it is a huge reality check.
Richard EXCELLENT!!!!!
My flags are all out, waving in the breeze before sunrise - you all enjoy this happy day.
Thank you very much for sharing this with us today, Richard! I feel like I have been to Washington to honor our members of the armed forces!
Arlington and indeed most of the monuments honoring the fallen are quite sobering. It's good to remember. When we forget the very real human price we risk pledging more precious lives to an uncertain future. Wonderful post!
Richard, these are amazing, sobering, and beautiful. Thank you for sharing what today means in a very true and valuable way.
Richard, what a beautiful tribute. I have never been to Arlington National Cemetery, and I am thinking it is well worth the trip. Thank you.
Hi Richard, Good post. Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
Years ago, my brother and I had the priviledge of watching ceremony of the changing of the guard...Amazing! Thank you for sharing the photos and for honoring past/present military people.
Richard, your photos are just beautiful. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a sobering place to visit - so is the Vietnam Memorial. Thanks.
Good Morning Richard. What a powerful post. I'm one of those who gets teary eyed at hearing the Star Spangled Banner, this post did the same thing. The wall of stars is amazing. I would love to visit there one day.
Debi
I'm featuring this post in the Active Rain Photoblogger Group
Every time I see this in person or in pictures it takes my heart... Thanks for remembering or veterans..
Richard I came back again to be awed and recommend this post as a feature
Richard: Thank you for sharing these photos on this sacred and holy day.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Richard,
Amazing pictures. I am excited to see these and know that the country I love stands up for our heroes.
Thanks to all of our Veterans! We really appreciate you more than you can ever imagine!!
ED: The military does take care of their own.
KAREN: Thank you. Right in our back yards.
ED: My flags are out too. I live in a community who displays the American Flag on light posts throughout the community.
SHARON: If you've never been in person, you need to experience it in person.
JESSE/KATHY: It is sobering when you reflect on how many lives were lost.
MARNEY: Thanks so much for your comment.
ANDREA: Absolutely worth the trip.
SASH: You're welcome and thanks for stopping by.
WANDA: It's an amazing ceremony that every American should experience.
PAT: I can only take being at the Vietnam Memorial for a short time. It is gripping in its sadness.
Great post!!!
I live a bit further, but twice I carried my daughter to our DC and while there I found the name of my Uncle Johnny on that wall, The first time my daughter was just 7 and it was a little to much for her to comprehend, so we returned when whe was 12 in the spring of 2001 just before our nation was again under attack. And now that my baby girl is 21, I'm glad I took her back. Your photos are great and what a wonderful post for today. Thank you so much for sharing these photos. God Bless.
Richard, this is indeed a powerful post. When I lived in Northern Virginia, I would go to these wonderful monuments on special occasions. Thanks for sharing these photos.
Richard, this is outstanding! Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this post together. I'm a vet and proud of it.
Thank you for sharing these photos. I have never been to Washington but hope to make it someday. These are truly sobering photos. My good friend's nephew was just killed in Iraq and they had to travel to Arlington Cemetary for his funeral. She said they had a beautiful ceremony and it was a beautiful place and your pictures show that.
Thank you Richard for posting these photos in honor of our fallen Veterans! It's a fitting memorial everyone of us should see and appreciate at some point in our life.
All of these memorials to honor those that have served their country. Thank you sir for sharing them and kudos on your feature.
Richard, thank you for sharing this with us on Activerain. The photos are amazing. I am ready to go visit again. It has been years, we may go at Thanksgiving. I am so ready to get shots of our history.
Richard - I've had the privilege of seeing all of these monuments and so appreciate your taking the time to post pictures. One of the best things I have ever done is to serve as a volunteer with the National Park Service at the Vietnam Memorial - a rare privilege.
Rich...
What an excellent tribute to our armed forces. Very, very well done!
Thank you for your post and your beautiful photos. I was just in Washington DC two weeks ago for the Marine Corps Marathon (supporting my son and husband the runners). We were able to visit Arlington National Cemetary for the first time. It was very moving and sobering.
thank you Richard for posting these beautiful photos. I was at the wall one Fathers Day. I too saw a pair of boots and I lost it on the spot. Seeing the wall is truly one of the most moving experiences of my life.
Hi Richard -- Well done. I lived in the DC area for quite some time and visited the Vietnam Memorial on several occasions, a very moving experience to say the least. Very sobering.
Thank you so much for sharing those photos and the feelings they create. It's very humbling when you think about all the sacrifice that has happened so we can take so much for granted.
Richard,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos, you done such a great job with each and every one of these. Just seeing those white headstones of Arlington still chokes me up. I've had the great benefit of seeing all of these memorials myself, except for the last one, the flag.
GOD BLESS USA & THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR GREAT COUNTRY!
What great photos Richard. Thank you for sharing them with us today.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures Richard. Awesome. Thanks for remembering also!
Richard, a very nice tribute to our fallen heroes. I went to Arlington yesterday. The weather was wet and windy, but worth the trip. Excellent photos. Thanks.
I have to say, I drive by some of these monuments almost daily, and rarely take time to reflect on them. It saddens me that in our busy lives, I need to read a post on my computer in order to take in the beauty of these monuments, and reflect on the sacrifice that so many (including my grandfather) made for this country. Thanks for making me stop and think. I think I'll leave early for my appointments in DC this weekend, and take a little walk...
I am sad to say that many of these fallen American's would not appreciate the state of affairs that we have let our Country come to. I hope everyone that views these pictures takes a moment to think about why these men died....what they fought for.
One of my favorite parts of living in this area is the many wonderful memorial and monuments that are here. This is a great photo collection. Thanks for sharing.
Richard - Very touching memorials! The next to the last photo with the sculpture of the three soldiers is riveting.
Richard, thanks so much for sharing your great photos!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Amazing photographs. We really need to keep these men and women in our hearts daily.
Richard, Somehow I missed this posting. Great tribute to those who served. ★ Congratulations on a well deserved feature ☺...
Helping you live your American dream...
Richard, I also missed your posting at first -- but you have such great posts that I always check back, so I got to see your magnificent photo tribute to Veterans.
I know this was a Veterans day tribute...and a very well deserved and orchestrated one. As a Veteran, I thank you...and am on verge of tears on this day before Thanksgiving, knowing that Freedom is not Free.
God Bless,