Gettysburg to Arlington

Sararose

               Five wake up calls into the morning, my group was awake and ready and the other groups were already packing their stuff onto the curb.  Breakfast was served, and proved to be the best morning meal we had had yet.  We packed ourselves onto the buses, and rode out to Gettysburg.  The tour guide was personable, the sights were amazing, and everything seemed to be overwhelmingly important to our history.  We stood right in the footsteps of the 15^th Alabama infantry and the 20^th Maine during the famous battle of Little Round Top that marked the turning point of the war. I heard old things, learned new things, and even braved a 97 step tower overlooking the fields. 

               Our next adventure brought us to the incredible Arlington National Cemetery.  The graves were so aligned and bright they looked like teeth.  The changing of the guards was a solemn reminder of the importance of a soldier’s life, and the eternal flame of our ex-president was amazing.  The whole trip, all I could think about was my great relative Archibald Downs receiving one of the first medals of Honor ever given, defending Washington in the 27^th Maine.

               Even though it was an overcast day, the heat became almost unbearable.  The air-conditioned buses were a relief as we traveled to the Pentagon Mall.  Every group grabbed a dinner and looked around a bit before leaving to head for what was probably the most beautiful memorial yet.

               The 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon was perfectly designed, and every little detail was thought out thoroughly.  There was a representation of some sort for everything that occurred, including ages, whether they were working or on the plane, and even if the deceased had other family in the memorial.  I sat on the benches, reading each name first, and simply thought about what it would have been like.  Where the plane would have flown in, how over a hundred civilians lost their lives on American soil.  It’s insane to think that any day, you could lose your life, and just how lucky we are to live in the free country of America.  Those who perished at 9/11 died simply for being Americans.

               We ended our historic day at the Iwo Jima Memorial, where the statues came to life in front of our very eyes.  After we were told a short story, we saw that it was not just 6 bronze heroes, but 6 young boys, 3 of which died for their country.  The fireflies were flashing all around the grounds, and the statue of the American flag being raised was lit beautifully.  It was a calm and memorable way to end the night, and we ended the day thinking about those 6 braves, immortalized forever in that iconic statue.

               It was another long day, full of incredible sights and smells and sounds, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I think I learned more today than any other yet, and I can’t wait to explore the rest of Washington tomorrow.