Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Arlington National Cemetery

BY SKEETER 
 
Time to start off a New Year of Garden Blogging from my Georgia Gardens. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and start to the New Year. We went to Virginia to spend Christmas with the Saints family. On this trip, we spent 4 days playing tour guide in downtown Washington DC with a 45 minute or less drive each day. We enjoy it there this time of year as the crowds are few and so much to see with little hassles. In the above picture you see the Capitol Building in the background with rose's in bloom. It was a very cold day so to see these Rose's really warmed me up. 
 I have been to Arlington National Cemetery many times in the past to visit the Saints brother. On this day, we spent our time driving throughout the cemetery taking it all in rather then drive in and out quickly as we normally seem to do. Most markers were donned with fresh wreaths and red bows for Christmas.  
Wreaths were donated by the Worchester Wreath Company. Click HERE to find out more about these fresh wreaths.
Over 110,000 donated wreaths by this wonderful company. Click HERE to see more about the Worcester Wreath Company...
A beautiful sight to see with the red and green against the white markers but oh so surreal.
Somber feelings run through your entire body.
Especially when the caisson strolls past. We are reminded of the every day burials which do not stop for the holidays.







I spotted a few trees decorated for Christmas within the Cemetery.
This tree had lost many of its ornaments to the wind. I could not help myself but to replace all the fallen stars.  
 A few markers had extra gifts from loved ones.
I found it a bit odd the cemetery will allow extra decorations as this sign is clearly posted throughout the cemetery. I know it makes a parent, sister, brother, friend, etc feel better by leaving a trinket and I am sure this is why they are over looked this time of year.
 
I shall share a bit more of Arlington National Cemetery with you on Thursday. With this being my first posting in over 2 months, I wanted to ease back into it so the rest shall be a part 2...
 
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

15 comments:

  1. Hi Skeeter and Happy New Year! The cemetary looks so beautiful with all the wreaths placed so carefully.

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    1. Christy, it is such a beautiful place and I shall share a bit more of the beauty on Thursday.

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  2. Surreal is a good word for it. Arlington must definitely feel that way and to see all those gravestones with wreaths, wow. Thanks for sharing Arlington. I've never been there or even visited D.C. so I'm looking forward to your posts on it all. Welcome back.

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    1. Tina, as a Veteran fighting for our country, you should get to DC sometime. So much to see and do and most for free! During the summer months it is crowded and one must take the Metro (subway) unlike during the holidays when we can drive right into the city...

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    2. Agreed! I used to live in government housing on Ft. Myer, which borders Arlington Cemetery and I've seen it many times before. Springtime is also a mighty fine time to go there. It's a time that the flowers start coming out and the leaves bud and life returns to an area that tends to be drab, cold and windy. It's a really great place to visit.

      As a military retiree, I'd have to say that my assignment in that area was rewarding in the sense of having a different appreciation of what we are fighting for. (However, there are some parts of D.C. that make you wonder if it wouldn't be a bad thing to hand it over to the bad guys).

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    3. Glad to see you here at "In the Garden" Talmadge! Since you never seem to get a chance to see my garden when you visit, maybe you can enjoy it through the blog. LOL. Yes, I know what you mean about Arlington. It saddens me to see the many stones and knowing there are more scattered all over the USA. It does make one stop and think, "WHY" Then again, if not for those lives taken, we would not have the freedoms we have today. I like to think that all the men and women laying in Arlington have not died in vain as we continue with our daily lives. I have been to Arlington during the spring but that was many years ago and I did not take note of the beauty within. After seeing what I saw with this visit, I shall go back again with our next Spring VA visit to capture more. Stay tuned for Thursday as I post a bit more on Arlington…

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  3. Skeeter, your photos are lovely. The wreaths are really a nice touch and I'll bet the decorated trees gave visitors a smile.

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    1. The wreaths always perk me up when in Arlington at Christmas. We spotted a few fallen over from the wind and we put them back into place. The trees were a bright spot and am sure they made many smile....

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  4. I went to my uncle's funeral at Arlington...he was a vet of 3 wars and a career soldier. It was the most amazing experience!

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    1. Donna, many thanks to your uncle for his many years keeping us Free! There was a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Unknown Soilders tomb and they played Taps. That was so touching to the soul. You could have heard a pin drop afterwards. I only wish my video would load but too darn large...

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  5. Beautiful pictures, but haunting, too. I'm amazed at the sheer number of headstones. I can imagine there is a hushed silence there at all times.

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    1. Holly, the headstones seem to go on for ever and ever. Such a touching sight to behold and yes, very quiet place...

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  6. It was beautiful and truly heart breaking at the same time.

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    1. Yes Cherry, a bit difficult to enjoy the surrounding beauty with so much saddness within...

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  7. Beautifully captured photos of the wreaths. thanks for sharing these.

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