3/6/2011
Despite our detours we made it to the party on time for the big surprise. We spent the night in a Day’s Inn in Arlington – just a few minutes from the Pentagon. Apparently not something one must see before they die, but it was still neat to see. It looks just like it does in all those cheesy movies. I always thought it would be in some super-secret inaccessible place, but it was just off the side of the road like some office building.
We began our day with early Mass at St. Charles Borromeo – just a few minutes from Arlington National Cemetery. The solemnity of the cemetery is apparent to any visitor. The rows and rows of veterans’ graves are hard to ignore. Photographs don’t have the depth that’s needed to appreciate it.
We made sure to visit the Kennedy Tomb and eternal flame, as well as the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was a drizzly day, but the lone soldier protecting the monument was there as promised. Laura wanted to hang around here, for some reason.
I feel guilty criticizing a cemetery, but Laura and I had a hard time navigating. There isn’t a lot of signage and since most of the plots look so similar we wound up going in circles trying to find the exit. Also, we were surprised at the lack of handicap accessibility. We’ve become more conscious of this element of design having pushed our fair share of strollers up wheelchair ramps. It was possible to get everywhere by avoiding stairs, but the routes (not marked, as stated above) were very circuitous. I would hate to think a disabled veteran could face obstacles here of all places.
From Laura: Okay, I didn't know that it was possible to get lost in a cemetary, but we did. Also, I was pregnant.
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