D.C. Day 7-Reflections-Arlington Cemetery-Old Ebbit with Tracy and David-National Archives

"And so my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world. Ask not what America will do for you.  But what together we can do for the freedom of man."  JFK

My dear father has said this to me many times and over the years it has become my favorite.  Today was, for the most part, our last day in our nations Capital.  I have told the funny stories of our trip so far.  I have not touched on the emotions that surge through me when I see things.  I haven't talked about it yet because it is worthy of a lot of thought.  Today seeing Arlington cemetery was sobering.  I have seen it before, but I was younger did not see it the same.

My first thought was that it was incredibly peaceful there, calming almost.  On our tour tram up to see JFK's headstone they told us that he had once remarked.  "I could stay here forever" on and trip with his wife to the area.  This makes sense to me.  There is order, there is tradition, there is ritual, and there is respect found here.  Look at the picture above and see the rows and rows of headstones!  All these people died fighting for our freedom!   As I have seen a few times "Freedom is not free"  There is a cost to everything and this was the ultimate price for the families of those lost.  It makes me think of how brave these men and women were, would I have the courage to fight for our country?   How did my dad and my uncle survive Vietnam?  Did they know anyone that was buried here?   I am sure they did. 

All around the city this week I have seen things and places that have become a part of our history.  Beautiful artifacts, quotes, monuments, memorials, and documents.  I wonder what we will look back on for our generation.  I am not for sure that it will be as beautiful as what was left before us.  I hope that our country will continue to make beauty and peace within it.  So many people fought for things they believed in and people probably did not think that those things would ever become what they have become today, but we still have work to do.  We still need to defend and protect our beliefs.  What do I believe?  I believe in people, I believe in my children, I believe I can make a difference, no matter how small it is it will be worth it.  That is what this week as been about for me.