Last visited 4/2023
We stayed at Club Wyndham National Harbor
So much history! I had visited this on my 9th grade class trip, but didn't truly understand what this location meant. I am so glad that Nathan and I had the chance to go again.
We spent a morning here at Arlington and have learned a couple of things to share. First, just pay for the tram. It costs about $20 an adult, but it is well worth it. It runs on a continual loop at about every 20 minutes at your leisure. It's well worth it. Second, you can arrange to lay flowers on the Grave of the Unknown Soldier. We saw school groups doing it, but I do not know how to do it myself, so I would suggest that you contact them directly. Third, Arlington is an active cemetery and at any given time they may be doing repairs to the site. As such, they close that area down so that no one, whether walking or riding, can access it. If there is definitely something that you want to see, you may want to double check that the area is open. Finally, if you are looking for a relative's grave, it is suggested you download the ANC Explorer app before you get there as they have spotty wifi at times. Find more information here https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/
The Honor Guard is responsible for protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Begun in 1926, it has continued 24/7 since then, rain...shine...snow. Hand picking and rigorous training that covers several different courses that must be passed in order to become an Honor Guard elevate these soldiers to an elite group of brotherhood.
Sitting high on a small hill you have wonderful views of the city. Precision lines the tombstones that turn the grass into fields of white marble
Audie Murphy is the most decorated soldier in American history having received every medal possible from the US as well as the French and Belgian awards for bravery
The Arlington House was originally owned by a decedent of George Washington and was transferred through marriage to Robert E. Lee. Once the Civil War began and Lee decided to fight for the South, the house was taken from him by the US government and turned into the cemetery.
The monument for the 2,111 unknown soldiers that were killed at Bull Run and Rappahannock buried on the grounds of Arlington House
The desk at which Lee wrote his surrender of Army commission so that he would not raise his hand against his friends and family. Because he did this his citizenship was revoked and he died a man without a country. Later, President Ford sat at this desk and signed the paperwork to restore his citizenship
Rooms retain the original furniture that Lee and his wife chose
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