Posted on 06/29/2013 3:32:26 PM PDT by usconservative
There is a nice little bar near the spy museum, I drank a beer while DH & the kids did the Spy Museum. Lots of interesting people there. :)
We got the week long Metro passes and never once touched our car in the parking garage at the hotel the entire week. Although it was really close to being too tall for the garage, just a Ford Expedition EL, so many of the parking garages are built for smaller vehicles. ;)
We also did Jefferson’s home on way to DC and Washington’s on way back home.
Our kids were 11 and 14 at the time. They loved it. Took my nephew, let’s just say his attention span was less than enthusiastic.
Oh and we did the National Zoo and walked to the National Cathedral from there. Wouldn’t recommend that in July, a very HOT and long walk. Didn’t look that far on the map according to my husband. haha
YES!!! Arlington National Cemetery is on my must do list as #1, watching the changing of the guards just got added to that visit.
Thank you so much.
Be sure and tell your kids the meaning of the number of steps the guard takes, etc. Very meaningful and very somber. We also stopped by the JFK grave with the eternal flame.
TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment “Old Guard”
Q: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
A: 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
Q: How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
A: 21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.
Q: Why are his gloves wet?
A: His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
Q: Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?
A: No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
Q: How often are the guards changed?
A: Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
Q: What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
A: For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5’ 10” and 6’ 2” tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30”.
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.
After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first SIX MONTHS of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A DAY getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
The Sentinels Creed:
My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.
More Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknowns itself:
The marble for the Tomb of the Unknowns was furnished by the Vermont Marble Company of Danby, Vt. The marble is the finest and whitest of American marble, quarried from the Yule Marble Quarry located near Marble, Colorado and is called Yule Marble. The Marble for the Lincoln memorial and other famous buildings was also quarried there.
The Tomb consists of seven pieces of rectangular marble: Four pieces in sub base; weight Â- 15 tons;
One piece in base or plinth; weight Â- 16 tons;
One piece in die; weight Â- 36 tons;
One piece in cap; weight Â- 12 tons;
Carved on the East side (the front of the Tomb, which faces Washington, D.C.) is a composite of three figures, commemorative of the spirit of the Allies of World War I.
In the center of the panel stands Victory (female).
On the right side, a male figure symbolizes Valor.
On the left side stands Peace, with her palm branch to reward the devotion and sacrifice that went with courage to make the cause of righteousness triumphant.
The north and south sides are divided into three panels by Doric pilasters. In each panel is an inverted wreath.
On the west, or rear, panel (facing the Amphitheater) is inscribed:
HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD
The first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sub base and a base or plinth. It was slightly smaller than the present base. This was torn away when the present Tomb was started Aug. 27, 1931. The Tomb was completed and the area opened to the public 9:15 a.m. April 9, 1932, without any ceremony.
Cost of the Tomb: $48,000
Sculptor: Thomas Hudson Jones
Architect: Lorimer Rich
Contractors: Hagerman & Harris, New York City
Inscription: Author Unknown
(found posted in 2004 here on Freerepublic)
LOL! You are right, it is only a rock, and the crowd around it is always thick. Still, it is the biggest diamond you will ever see in person. For me it's always worth the trouble. Better still is the Hall of Gems, just beside the Hope Diamond, where every possible gem or precious stone is on displayed, in every possible color variation, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and more than I can name. I first saw it as a child, and I've never forgotten the experience.
We were there in April 2013...and the referb on the Hall is fantastic! Worth the jostling crowds.
Your kids would love the Bureau of Engraving.
At the Basin you can rent paddleboats, which is great fun for kids.
Thus far, this is the list as I know it:
- Arlington National Cemetery. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Changing of the Guard
- National Spy Museum
- The National Archives where our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta are all stored.
- Lincoln Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Vietnam Wall (Family served in that war)
- We're planning on walking the mall
- Fireworks on the Mall for the Fourth
- We want to see the reading of the Declaration of Independence (supposed to be in-period costume)
We're arriving on the 2nd, leaving on the 5th, not how much more we can squeeze in. I've been told by several Freepers on this thread and in FRMail that Mount Vernon is a must-do. We'll probably do that on the 5th before we start our journey home.
All the suggestions on this thread have been awesome, looking forward to posting pics when we get back.
Forgot one: We’re taking youngest son to see the National Aquarium. He’s quite the young Jacques Cousteau, so that stop’s just for him.
You’ve an ambitious list!
I think your kids will be bored w/ Mt. Vernon...but it’s still a *must* IMO. Monticello is much more interesting.
Under the Ampitheatre at the Tomb, are public restrooms. If you have the *need*, use them B4 the ceremony, otherwise the lines will be tremendously long when things break-up.. Also, if it is *quiet* when you visit...your teenagers might be able to interact with the sentinels, whose changing/dressing rooms are there below the Ampitheatre. We met one young Honor Guard who took a lot of time to talk to my boys. It was very impressive.
Also, if you can get to the south gate of Fort Myer, you can probably talk your way to letting the guard let you in; [they are much more restrictive now]; you can see the stable for the horses that work the Caissons. The soldiers there are charming and very willing to give you a tour. If your kids like horses....they’ll love this experience. Not too many people know about this part of Arlington/Ft. Meyer.
I’m sending you a FReepmail on how to get into the Bureau of Engravings. Tickets for the day you go, are distributed *early* in the morning....once they are gone...you have to go back the next morning and try again. Very time consuming.
One more thought. If it is *HOT* ...think about taking a sidetrip to Luray Caverns...it’s a lovely drive from DC near Port Royal [charming town] . The temperature in Luray Caverns is a constant 54 °F year round....quite a relief from the city heat.
Have great fun!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.