Welcome back!
Yesterday was yet another action-packed day of fun, which included Mount Vernon (The Home of George Washington) and Arlington National Cemetery!
This entire day, we utilized a Greyline tour bus to go to each of the sites, and all that we did today was based on this entire excursion.
Without further ado, let’s begin!
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
After getting on the shuttle at Union Station (which in itself was a marvel to behold, and which I will show later).
A nice view of the Capitol Dome.
Another full-scale picture of the Washington Monument.
An even bigger view of the Capitol Building! The event the preceding night had wrapped up, and one can see that restoration work is being done to the House Chamber side of the building.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial! Made 200 years after his birth, it stands tall as a memorial to the author of the Declaration of Independence, and our third President.
We were soon on the road into the south, and into Virginia!
We then came to Alexandria, Virginia, one of America’s oldest towns. Only 5 miles from the District of Columbia, Alexandria has played host to many famous Virginians, particularly George Washington and Robert E. Lee.
Just a taste of the architecture found here. Note the actual cobblestone road in the latter picture.
Our first of four stops on the excursion was actually this church in Alexandria, “Christ Church Episcopal”. This was where both Washington and Lee worshipped during their time here.
We would NEVER have known about this had it not been on the trip! Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones that you actually discover.
The church was originally to have Washington’s funeral here, but due to various complications, the body never left Mount Vernon.
This very same chamber was the one that Washington would worship at… while there are many other older churches in the U.S. than this, many had been gutted and converted for various functions, such as hospitals during the Civil War. This chapel was left relatively untouched during the War however, and still remained a place of worship.
In this very pew, George Washington would sit and watch the proceedings of the Church Service…
G. Washington.
Us sitting in the pew.
We soon left, and drove only a few more miles to the entrance of Mount Vernon itself!
The main gate of the Historic Site is known as the “Texas Gate” (how it got that name, I have no clue, for George Washington had likely never even heard of Texas when he lived).
The approach to the mansion. Though the weather was slightly chilly, the land was still very beautiful… I absolutely love Virginia land, especially that around Monticello (another story for another day!).
In the distance, and covered in scaffolding (for restoration work), was the home of the father of the country… General and President George Washington.
While still an impressive sight, it is still good to see it in the normal setting. Here’s a stock photo that does so.
Most of the rooms in the house prohibited photography, so instead, I will try to elaborate on a bit of history in the mansion.
Mount Vernon was purchased and built by General Washington’s father Augustine, and built the first version of the house around 1735. After he died when George was 11, the estate was passed down to his eldest son Lawrence (who was George’s half-brother). And when he died in 1752, George inherited the property, and over the years expanded it dramatically, to which it had a large dining room, a private section, and up to four floors. During the Revolutionary War and the Presidency, he was forced to spend time away from his beloved estate on the banks of the Potomac River, and only four months after leaving the Presidency did he pass away here in December 1799, barely falling short of the new century. Having fallen into disrepair following his wife Martha’s death, Mount Vernon was soon inherited by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, and has been preserved ever since as a memorial to Washington.
A very nice view of the back (actually front) of the house. It was not under restoration.
The same view from the porch that George and Martha Washington enjoyed (except for the slight curvature in the view, and the slightly distorted section, sorry).
Many were the buildings around the estate, each serving it’s own purpose within this community like setting. You could find a “paint” cellar, a salt storage area, a greenhouse, a clerk’s office, and a smokehouse, among others.
The kitchen! Slaves were an everyday part of Mount Vernon’s life unfortunately, like every other Plantation of the time would. It was they who would maintain much of the property, and as well as the food of the estate. The kitchen was separate from the house in case a fire broke out.
The spinning house was where one could spin cloth and textiles in a jiffy!
The overseer not only observed the slaves’ work, but also managed the plantation when General Washington was away. And that was often a common occurrence, he was a busy man.
This lower garden serves as a growing place for vegetables and other such plants. Nowhere near as extensive as Monticello’s Mulberry Row, but still impressive.
The Wash House was also very critical back then, and it was just as back-breaking for the slaves as the manual labor involved in the fields.
The Riding Chair was an inexpensive way to get around! Simply slap a rocking chair onto a wagon chasis, and your off to the races!
The Blacksmith Shop had an actual Blacksmith working there! Mount Vernon is well known for it’s practical demonstrations of work in Mount Vernon, and in many ways is a “living relic”.
Slave Quarters… Washington stipulated in his final will that all his slaves would be freed upon his wife Martha’s death, which came 2 years after him.
Washington kept his beloved horses in the stables, particularly an Arabian-breed horse that he used during the Revolutionary War.
Many live animals are located on the farm, including sheep with their precious wool!
George Washington is actually buried on the grounds of Mount Vernon, in a special tomb that millions come to visit to pay homage to.
And THIS… is not it.
That’s right, this is actually the Old Vault, where he was once buried. He was originally kept here, but following an failed attempt by grave-robbers to steal his head, and an reevaluation of his will, his remains were moved to the current tomb.
The actual tomb however, was close.. very close.
It was such a silent place… many people were gathered around it, in such a way of dignity and respect that was remarkable.
Countless people have come to Mount Vernon to give respect to this great man… from all parts of the world.
George is on the right, Martha on the left, and about 25 other relatives entombed behind the iron door in the back wall.
We had walked in on an actual ceremony taking place, and a special honor guard placed a fresh new wreath in front of the tomb! The eulogy that the man in charge gave to the dozens of us gathered there was rather chilling… Washington truly was “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of his Countrymen.”.
We also walked down to the wharf, which was right on the Potomac River!
On the other side of the river is Maryland. Any boats that pass by ring their bells in respect for Mount Vernon and General Washington.
We then spent the rest of our time at Mount Vernon exploring the “Education Center”, the small museum complex.
Nice statues of the First Family. They never actually lived in The White House, and George never actually had children of his own. He considered Martha’s children from her previous engagement to be his offspring.
The complex was not afraid to detail the more controversial aspects of Washington’s life, especially concerning his slaves. The museum did a great job at balancing the different aspects of his life.
Some of his early surveying equipment from his first job before he became a soldier. Even if he had no formal education, he was still a brilliant mind.
In case you were wondering, no. The Cherry Tree fable is really just a fable. Still, he was a very honest man, true to himself, and to others.
One of Washington’s special swords. Seeing him lead his troops into battle, including as a Colonel in the French & Indian War, must have been inspiring indeed.
Some of Martha Washington’s personal effects. George dearly loved her, and Martha helped set many precedents for following First Ladies to follow.
George Washington was over 6’0 Feet tall, and thus was an impressive figure to behold. He was just the right man for the job of Commander of the Continental Army.
Did you know that Mount Vernon was one of the largest distillers of whiskey in the entire country? Who knows how much he could produce in just a year!
Behold, the most famous teeth in America! Washington’s dentures.
Not made of wood, they were made out of anything from walrus tusk, elephant Ivory, to even Human Teeth. Washington had only one of his real teeth left by the time of his death (he liked to crack walnut’s with his teeth, which probably didn’t help too awfully much).
And it must have been painful too… not even places for gums are on there.
Aside from the need to keep good tooth hygene, there is one other thing that George Washington provided that helped to better society…
And that is a free-country.
For the fledgling United States, many people wanted him to become a king or monarch, such as that of Great Britain. One who would rule for a lifetime, and one that truly ruled the country thoroughly.
He refused all of that. After two terms, he stepped down. He RESIGNED his power invested in him by the people, and thus he returned to the people as well.
He WILLINGLY gave up that power. Think about it. Nowhere else in the world had that ever happened before. No lord, monarch or noble had ever done that. It was an act of true grace, and one that sets the Presidency apart from any other Head of State in the world.
He DEFINED the role of the President. He was the man the country needed for it’s infancy, and he guided it to the utmost of his ability, and set examples for those that followed him. Indeed, few names command as much respect in the entire world than Washington. With integrity that we can obtain from reflecting upon his lasting legacy, we truly can make sure that his vision of America can continue to be preserved.
Continuing on with our trip, and after stopping at the Visitor Center for lunch and souvenirs, we returned to Arlington, Virginia, and came across a number of special locations.
The Pentagon, home to the U.S. Department of Defense, is one of the largest office buildings in the entire world, and is massive enough to host 22,000 workers inside it.
The lighter part of this wall was where the third plane from the fateful events of September 11 struck the building… it is difficult to imagine the horror of those who didn’t know what happened… I can only assume that everyone was, one way or another, afraid…
The LBJ Grove on the Potomac memorializes Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States, and from Texas. The obelisk in the center of the grove is hewn from the granite of his home in the Texas Hill Country, which he so dearly loved. It is just wonderful to see a taste of home like this! (When it was being built, they had to resort to not using a statue, as tensions over the Vietnam War were still high).
The Iwo Jima Memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world, and commemorates all of the battles and wars that the U.S. Marines have participated in, from the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and many others.
This famed memorial depicts the height of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which depicts 6 different soldiers hoisting the American Flag upon the summit. Only two of those soldiers lived to survive the battle.
One shutters to imagine what war veterans must go through continuously… we owe them much, those both remaining, and departed.
Soon enough, we arrived at our final stop, the most prominent cemetery in the entire country…
Arlington National Cemetery
The final resting place for hundreds of thousands of the most esteemed individuals of the nation… you’ll find anyone here… politicians, soldiers, astronauts, sportscasters, and yes, even Presidents.
Speaking of Presidents, up on a hill, one could spot the final resting place of 27th President William Howard Taft! Taft also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a job he loved much more than the Presidency. We visited this place four years before, but this time we weren’t able to go up and see it from the trolley.
So here it is.
The sea of White, row upon row of tombstones, is a sight that truly is in infamy… freedom is never free… there is always a cost. And that cost is never small.
Also buried here in the Cemetery is Astronaut John Glenn, Generals Omar Bradley and George C. Marshall, statesman Robert Lincoln (the last surviving son of Abraham Lincoln), Supreme Court Chief Justices Earl Warren and Thurgood Marshall, and Washington D.C. architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant, among others.
We soon however, worked our way up the slope of Arlington Hill after departing from the tour trolley, and came upon the final resting place of an individual who’s fiery inspiration still endures…
John Fitzgerald Kennedy… 35th President of the United States.
President Kennedy was tragically gunned down by an assassin’s bullet in 1963, in a day that shocked the world… for those that can remember that day, it is a memory forever engraved into subconscious thought… after all, you never forget where you where when it happened, or of the agony and grief felt by the whole community, and those closest to you…
A humble gravesite, for the most idealistic of men.
Jacqueline Kennedy was a First-Lady like no other… beautiful, charming, smart, and yet, strong-willed… the iron-will that she maintained in the aftermath of November 22, 1963 is remarkable…
Born with the couple are two of their children. A stillborn daughter, and Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, who died two days into his short life…
The Eternal Flame has continued to burn bright since the day President Kennedy was laid to rest… the fires of human spirit were truly capable, and he knew how to show that.
As per this quote… One that truly resonates and echoes still with us.
Nearby were the graves of the other three Kennedy brothers….
Robert (Bobby) Kennedy, his older brother’s Attorney General (and later Senator from New York), who was shot and killed just 5 years after his brother…
Edward (Ted) Kennedy, the “Old Lion of the Senate” for nearly 50 years who died only 10 years ago after a powerful and long era serving in the Congress…
And the cenotaph of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the oldest of the four brothers in the Kennedy Family. He was shot down during aerial combat in World War II, and his body was never recovered.
Arlington House is where Robert E. Lee originally claimed his dominance over this, his former property. Upon vacating it at the start of the Civil War, the Federal Government confiscated it, turning it into a National Cemetery, and thus today’s current setting.
Row upon row… 600 acres of it… it is truly a harrowing sight… “All give Some, but Some give All”…
The mast of the USS Maine, an American warship stationed in Cuba’s Havana Bay until it exploded and sunk into the waves. Whether it be by sabotage or accident, Yellow Journalism helped to fuel the flames that led to the Spanish American War…
The last part of the cemetery was special… one of ultimate respect and dignity… the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier…
A rare demonstration was going on… the wreath was being changed!
There are actually four tombs: A soldier from the First World War, a tomb from the Second World War, a tomb from the Korean War, and an empty tomb from the Vietnam War (the remains were identified and taken back to Missouri)
There was absolute silence from the dozens of people around… this was hallowed ground. 
Every minuscule detail was performed to perfection by the National Guardsmen. The pace of their walk, the adjustment of their firearms, and the prompt salutes to the tomb… it was something truly intricate and fascinating to behold.
After the ceremony, the “Changing of the Guard” began, where every 30 minutes, the beginning for another guard’s shift will begin. Since 1921, the National Guard has protected this site 24/7, and continues to be a signature landmark in the Cemetery.
What kind of training must one go through to be in the Guard I wonder? It must be very strenuous training.
Once again, it is important to reiterate that freedom is never “free”… there is always a cost, and often times, that which is spent is very near and dear to our hearts. Heroes come, and heroes go, but their sacrifices still help to ensure that we as a people are able to go on and live the lives we want… though each name on the seas of white tombstones may in time be forgotten, what they did still remains. They gave the ultimate devotion to a cause truly greater than themselves, and for that, they deserve all the merit that we give them credit for. And so, we will continue to honor them, and carry on the day,
“Lest we Forget.”
We soon headed back to Union Station via the bus, our long day finally ended.
To think we’ll be going there soon… it will be exciting!
Union Station is absolutely massive, and is a major hub for both the city and the nation.
The main hall of Union Station is positively massive… the high vaulted ceiling is a wonder to behold…
Well, sorry for the late post everyone, we got back a little later than we had hoped, so I am posting it this morning. It might not be the last time that this happens, so keep your eyes peeled!
Today we will check out many of the famed Memorials in D.C., including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial, among others!
Thanks everyone, and see you soon!
Mark's Historical Roadtrips! 