2009 12 Jun

Day 2 in DC

When I woke up this morning after a sound sleep, the sun was shining with a few fluffy clouds in the sky and we were ready to go again. Our plans included Arlington Cemetery before heading off to the National Mall again to visit another museum.

So, after a hearty breakfast of toasted bagel with cream cheese, waffle, and donut with 3 glasses of OJ, we were off. We made it to the Metro station just as the train pulled up, so we hopped right on. As the doors closed, I realized that we were on the wrong train (Yellow instead of Blue). I had neglected to look at the sign on the train before just hopping on. Oops. So, at Pentagon Station, we switched to the correct train and off we went again. Next station, Arlington Cemetery, and off the train again.

Kennedy Gravesite

One can almost feel the reverence the cemetery almost demands from each of its visitors. As you walk through the manicured grounds, and see the grave markers perfectly lined up, you realize the sacrifice that has filled the rolling hills. Most of those interred there have given their lives in the service of this country and it is humbling.

We visited the tomb of John F. Kennedy and its eternal flame. The outer wall of the memorial has the words of his inaugural speech (Ask not what your country can do for you …) inscribed upon it. There was also a beautiful view of Washington, D.C.

The best part of that visit was the tomb of the unknowns and watching the changing of the guard. It was very hot since the sun was shining and, at that point, the breeze had stopped. We were standing on the steps watching the honor guard pace back and forth with perfectly measured steps, turn, change shoulders, and walk again in full dress uniform. I suddenly felt like a wimp for complaining about how hot it was as I watched this soldier honor the unknown soldiers so perfectly and without complaining, and here I was griping because it was hot. Poor me.

Honor Guard at Tomb of the Unknowns

When it was time, the relief commander appeared. The following is an excerpt from the cemetery’s website:

The guard is changed every hour on the hour Oct. 1 to March 31 in an elaborate ritual. From April 1 through September 30, there are more than double the opportunities to view the change because another change is added on the half hour and the cemetery closing time moves from 5 to 7 p.m.

An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard. Soon the new sentinel leaves the Quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle to signal to the relief commander to start the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and stay silent during the ceremony.

The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving sentinel meet the retiring sentinel at the center of the matted path in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknowns who have been symbolically given the Medal of Honor. Then the relief commander orders the relieved sentinel, “Pass on your orders.” The current sentinel commands, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The newly posted sentinel replies, “Orders acknowledged,” and steps into position on the black mat. When the relief commander passes by, the new sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute.

The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed — the 21-gun salute.

Duty time when not “walking” is spent in the Tomb Guard Quarters below the Memorial Display Room of the Memorial Amphitheater where they study Cemetery “knowledge,” clean their weapons and help the rest of their relief prepare for the Changing of the Guard. The guards also train on their days off.

The Guards of Honor at the Tomb of the Unknowns are highly motivated and are proud to honor all American service members who are “Known But to God.”

It was a beautiful and moving ceremony I last witnessed when I was about 12 years old and in the 6th grade.

Whale in Natural History Museum

Afterwards, it was back to the train and off to the Smithsonian. We decided upon the Natural History Museum and walked in to see a huge elephant on display in the rotunda. We went to the right and started out in the Early Life section with the fossils and moved quickly to the dinosaurs. After looking at the dinosaur bones, we were very happy they didn’t have skin on them. There is a fossil lab right there in the gallery where they clean and process fossils to get them ready for display. There wasn’t anybody in there at the time we visited, but it looked pretty fascinating. We moved through the Ice Age section and entered African Cultures. From there, it was the Ocean hall with a huge whale hanging from the ceiling.

On the second floor, we viewed the famous Hope Diamond. The display changed since the 6th grade, but the diamond was still there. They have Marie Antoinette’s earrings, along with gifts Napoleon gave one of his wives. All sorts of geological exhibits with other stones and minerals. One exhibit I thought was a bit ironic: Orkin’s insect zoo. It was indeed fascinating with live insects and interesting facts about them.

The great thing about this museum is there were plenty of hands-on exhibits for children. There was even a forensic lab and a fossil lab for kids to learn in.

Back to the hotel after a quick dinner at the Pentagon City food court and resting up for a great day tomorrow.

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