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| FREEDOM IS NOT FREE Korean War Memorial |
Last Day In Washington, DC - June 15
Last day in DC, I slept just a little later and then headed to Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. Added to the first two days makes "Reagan" just a bit tired. As I have revisited these places and memorials I have been to previously, I consciously thought of my parents and bringing them with me late 1970's or early 1980's to visit Williamsburg, VA, Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello, and Washington, DC. In DC, we took a guided tour traveling between sights on a motorcoach and visited the monuments, the Capitol Building inside, and Mount Vernon. Great sentimental memories. I'm so glad I could do that for mom and dad.
Incidentally, my first trip to DC was in 1961 while a college student after working during the summer in Roanoke, VA. My next visit was for three months January through March 1966 while training in the national headquarters for what is now the Federal Highway Administration. As a Federal Employee 1964-1979, I actually visited for business several times and now I come occasionally as a retired senior adult.
The lead photo FREEDOM IS NOT FREE is from the Korean War Memorial. That statement is so true. Visiting Arlington Cemetery brought thoughts of dying to this 77 year old and seeing all the tombstones. I'm hoping if not on my tombstone, there will be the verses Proverbs 3:5-6 associated with me. I do claim them as my life verses. Visiting with Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial I was reminded of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and though President during the Civil War, he respected all persons and did not yield to the evil of slavery. As I leave our nation's capital tomorrow I pray that we can be a nation that honors the theme "One for ALL and ALL for one."
I've already packed my large suitcase and took it on the light rail to Union Station and checked it for tomorrow's trip. This way I can again use the light rail to go the "one stop" back to Union Station in the morning with my carry on luggage to carry in my roomette on the train with me. That arrangement is just the best for this senior adult's safety. I don't want to make unnecessary falls.
And now for the selected photos of my visits to Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. By the way you can click on the photos to see full size photos.
Thanks for traveling with me via this blog. Tomorrow night I will be traveling overnight on Amtrak's Cardinal passing through West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio on the way to Chicago. Chicago will be more relaxation time and less sightseeing. Either Monday or Tuesday, I will post several photos of my trip on Amtrak's Cardinal.
