DC Photos -Part 1, Arlington National Cemetery

It's humbling to visit Arlington.  It's hard to find inspiration in a place that holds 25-28 funerals daily.  But through the delicacy of human emotions that are so close to the surface when visiting these hollowed grounds one can find more of a sense of honor in being apart of such a great nation.  The reverence with which everyone you encounter there from tour guides to grounds keepers holds these remains of those there with the utmost respect and dignity.  While there it is not unlikely that you will see a funeral.  Of the two processionals I saw there is one that I will never forget.  The processional began with a full military band, a bugler, the casket upon a caisson, a group of over 50 mourners and then the processional of about 30 cars.  Everyone on the tram fell silent.  You could hear the drum beat of the band and the click of the hoofs from the horse.  The groundskeepers stopped pruning trees and mowing lawns, all vehicles stopped, and everyone held their collective breathes.  Its enough to make you proud to be apart of such a great nation.  I only saw a fraction of the memorials but I have an even deeper respect for those who have given their all to our country.  Below are a selection of photos from Arlington.