Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Date Visited: October 14, 2006 Contact Information: Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia 22211 (703) 607-8000 http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/index.htm Hours: 8a.m.-5p.m. October through March 8a.m.-7p.m. April through September Admission: Free Small fee for parking Tourmobile line rates are: Adults $6.00 Children (3–11) $3.00 Senior Citizens (65 years or older) $5.00 History: Arlington is made up of 200 acres and it was designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Veterans from every of the nation’s wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through today’s wars. Experience: When I arrived at Arlington National Cemetery, I knew I would not want to take the touring buses, since I prefer to explore places on my own, especially a place like this. So, I went in the visitor’s center and got a map. The map was very easy to read and pointed out various spots of interest. I decided to first visit the graves of JFK and Bobby Kennedy. At JFK’s gravesite, the guard did a wonderful job enforcing everyone to be quiet and respectful. One woman was talking very loudly on her cell phone, and the guard was quick to respond. I was able to get a great shot of the quote engraved into the ledge of the monument with the Washington Monument in the background. The quote reads, “Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The guard also had to inform a couple of individuals that they should not lean or sit on that ledge. These were not even kids, who naturally wouldn’t understand these rules, but adults doing these things. It’s amazing what people do in a place meant to pay respect to and honor the dead. Next, I visited Bobby Kennedy’s gravesite, which is right next to his brother’s. His resting place is very peaceful and almost seems remote. A simple white cross marks his grave and it faces a quiet fountain with a couple of his quotes. One of which reads, “It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance.” After I paid my respects to the Kennedys, I went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched the changing of the guard. The ceremony was performed with perfection. It is amazing to see what discipline the guards displayed in their movements, leaving no room for error. I then wondered up to the Memorial Amphitheater area and visited the memorials for the Challenger, the Columbia, and Audie Murphy’s gravesite. Afterwards, I just walked around enjoying the quiet and the scenery. Arlington is well taken care of even with the large number of tourists that come through.