Photos of Arlington National Cemetery

These are some photos of Arlington National Cemetery that did not print with the story below.

Candy

Washington's Arlington National Cemetery

On Monday, October 18, 2010, we once again took the Metro into town. It was another beautiful day in the Nation's Capital. Our objective today was Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington is the best known of more than one hundred national cemeteries in the United States. Arlington's green slopes shelter veterans from every was that has involved the nation. Over 320,000 servicemen and their family members rest on the 624 acres of Virginia land across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. About 27 burials are conducted every weekday. (I was privileged to attend a cemetery at Arlington for an Uncle of Angela's. He had been a Col. in the Army and was buried with full military honors. It was a very moving occasion! An honor guard accompanies the American flag-draped coffin drawn by matched horses. A band plays solemn marches while muffled drums beat the slow cadence for the procession. He was also accorded the riderless horse with the boots turned backwards to show his high military rank. Before the remains are lowered, a squad fires three rifle volleys and a bugler blows the long notes of "Taps". Finally the guard folds the flag and presents it to the next of kin.)

We went to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. To our surprise they were also having a special ceremony of a wreath laying by the Military of Columbia. It was quiet impressive with the different branches of the Military Service there along with the band. There were secret service men all over the place (they are the ones in the black suits and sunglasses!)
After the wreath ceremony was over there was the changing of the guard. That, as always is a very moving ceremony to observe. Here a sentinel of the Third U.S. Infantry maintains the vigil around the clock, 365 days a year in all types of weather. The sentinel paces 21 steps down the mat before the tomb, pauses 21 seconds, and returns. The changing of the guard takes place every hour (or half-hour from April through September). "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God" reads the inscription on the sarcophagus of the World War I soldier entombed here in 1921. Joining their comrade, unknown servicemen from World War II and Korea, lie in crypts beneath slabs with the terrace paving. There had been a serviceman from the Vietnam war, however his remains have been identified through DNA and has since been moved to his hometown. There will probably be nor more unknown soldiers with the testing that we now have available.
We also stopped by the grave of John F. Kennedy. Cape Cod stones frame the eternal flame, where the words "with history the final judge " are quoted from his inaugural address.

High up on a hill overlooking the cemetery is the Arlington House, which is now known as the Robert E. Lee Memorial. Before Arlington was a cemetery, it was home to Robert E. Lee who called Arlington House home from three decades. Today it is a memorial to Lee and to his efforts to heal a nation torn apart by civil war. The house had been owned by George Washington Parke Custis. Curtis, grandson of Martha Dandridge Custis was raised from infancy by Martha and her second husband, George Washington. He grew to revere Washington as a father and military hero. In 1804 he married Mary Lee Fitzhugh. In 1831 their only surviving child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Lt. Robert E. Lee, a childhood playmate and distant cousin. Mary and Robert Lee had seven children. Lee was the son of an old Virginia family and Revolutionary War hero Henry Lee. Lee had attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After serving as superintendent of West Point, Lee transferred to the cavalry in 1855. He learned of his father-in-laws death in 1857 and returned home to Arlington.
When Lee learned of Virginia's secession on April 19, 1861, he spend a long night agonizing over his future and that of his family. He deplored the ides a secession but realized he could not "raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home." He resigned from the U.S. Army and sided with Virginia.

With the coming of the civil war, Arlington House ceased to be a home to the Custis and Lee families. Lee left for Richmond in April 1861 and accepted command of Virginia's forces. Mrs. Lee left in May as Union troops prepared to occupy Arlington Heights in defense of the capital. In 1864 the government took possession of the estate when Mrs. Lee couldn't appear in person to pay property taxes. For reasons both practical and symbolic, the army then established a military cemetery on the grounds and began interring the rapidly mounting dead. Burials had in fact begun at Arlington before the ink was even blotted on the proposal for the cemetery. By war's end, 16,000 graves filled the spaces close to the house. Heir to the property, Custis Lee, sued the government for disputing his claim to ownership. After the Supreme Court ruled in Lee's favor Congress paid him $150,00 for title to the land.

The National Park Service acquired Arlington in 1933 and continued the restoration of the house and grounds, which Congress designated the Custis Lee Mansion. In 1972 it was redesignated Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial.

In recognition of this site's enduring national significance, Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River was aligned to visually connect the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House. Completed in 1932, the bridge is a powerful symbol of a divided nation once again made whole.

In all the times that I have been to Washington and Arlington I never had heard this story. I was quite impressed with what I have learned about our Nation's Capital.

That is all for today,

Candy and John

Washington, DC October 2010

We left Minnesota and headed South and East! As John HATES driving through Ill. for very long, we headed South through Iowa, then turned East headed and across Illinois toward D.C. The weather was sunny and warm, a nice drive and the leaves were putting on their fall show! We have never been this far North this late in the fall to see much of the color. The days are still warm and sunny however the nights are rather cool.


We made it to D.C. and survived the Metro and traffic. It was easier to take the Metro downtown than drive and try and find a parking place. Once you know the system it really is very easy. We passed by the Whitehouse and walked along the Mall taking in all the monuments along the way. John wanted to stop by the Vietnam Memorial and we found his friends name on the wall. I have been there before but it is still a very moving place! We went to the WWII Memorial and again, it is a very moving place.
More photos of our visit later.... Candy

2010_10 D.C. by Night

After walking the Mall we returned to Cherry Hill RV Park and signed up for the DC by night tour. It was well worth the money. Once again we stopped by the White House... we then stopped by the Marine Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, along with the Lincoln Monument and the Korean Memorial. The tour driver was great with a wonderful sense of humor. The evening was very pleasant and a bright moon was in the sky. A perfect way to see Washington, DC!

2010_10 Washington, DC

The historic Castle, the oldest of the 17 Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C. area, houses the crypt of founder James Smithson, a visitor orientation theater, scale models of Washington's monumental core, a few exhibitions and helpful information..

We did not have time to view much of the Smithsonian museums, however we did go to the Air and Space museum. It is in this building that is housed NWA 747 ship 6601. The first 747 that NWA flew. Both John and I spent many hours on this aircraft when it was flying. I flew on the aircraft the very first month that NWA flew the plane. It flew a round trip flight between Minneapolis and New York City. At the time the plane seemed so Large!!!! It brought back many memories of flying days gone by!

Candy and Johnny

October in Minnesota with Grandkids

We left South Dakota and headed east to the Twin Cities in Minnesota. John was not too sure about the weather as October can be very questionable!! The weather was perfect! Sunny and warm every day. June had been so cold and wet and Minnesota had received so much rain at the beginning of September that the road that we were to take from I-90 up to the Twin Cities was closed due to flooding. We headed Albert Lee and spent the night before heading north on I-35 to Maple Grove.

I love to stop in Minnesota to spend time with the Grand kids!! And my daughter, naturally!!!!! Angela and I did get to spend two days together without the kids to talk and shop, Mom and Daughter things... . it was a great time with her. I do miss her when I am away. The kids as always are great fun. I got to spend some time with them as Angela had to go to San Francisco for work and her husband was also out of town for business.
Michael is now 6 and is riding his two wheel without the training wheels.....he is so proud. Abby is now 4 and she does very well keeping
up with her brother. Michael is in Kindergarten and Abby in Pre-K. They both go to the same school and are having a lot of fun with so many new friends.

Keeth and Kristy were away for most of the time that we were in Minnesota however they returned with little Emery, 1 year old, the night before we were to leave. I was so glad to be able to see Emery. She is doing very well, despite her early beginning ( 6 week early!) She has learned to sit up and do her version of crawling. We are hoping that she will be walking near the end of the year.
The weather while we have been here has been fantastic. As I said, sunny and warm every day. It has even been in the 80's. a real Indian summer. The leaves are at their peak in beautiful hues of gold, red and yellow.

We were going to head to Washington DC, but decided to stay over as there is a Flight Attendant retirement party on the 12th. I am looking forward to going and see many friends. We will then head East to DC for a couple of day, John had not been in the district before so he is looking forward to that....

That is all for now....

Until then, Candy and Johnny

Rapid City, SD, RNPA

We left Buffalo and arrived in Rapid City, South Dakota to join the Retired Northwest Pilots Association for their annual convention. We have been to Rapid City several times before however the highlight of the stop was seeing all of our friends!!!! The one thing that one misses about not flying any longer is the camaraderie. During our working years we spent so much time with many of these people that they were like family. When you had to be away from home on holidays these folks made it seem like home just to be with them. The "fun" days of flying are long behind us all now, however the friendships made during that time remain!
The first night we attended a cocktail party and renewed friendships....told many lies and laughed until our sides hurt. A good time was had by all and it was time to say goodnight.
Saturday morning we were all loaded on buses and headed off for a day to see the sights of the area. Our first stop was in Hill City to take the 1880 Train through the countryside to Keystone. From here we boarded our buses once again and headed to Mount Rushmore to have lunch with the Presidents! Then on to see if any progress had been made on the
Crazy Horse Monument, (they have been working on this since June 3, 1948. Work was begun by Boston-born sculptor Korczak Zilkowski. Korczak died in 1982 however he passed us vision along to his wife Ruth and their 10 children. He left them 3 plan books and scale models showing how to continue his work. The face of Crazy Horse was completed and dedicated in 199, 50 years after the monument had been started. When the monument is finished it will be as long as a cruise ship and taller then a 60 story skyscraper.



The memorial is a non-profit undertaking and receive receives no federal or state funding.

Some traditional Lakota and Native Americans oppose this memorial. In 1972, Lame Deer, a Lakota medicine man said "The whole idea of making a beautiful wild mountain into a statue of him(Crazy Horse) is a pollution of the landscape. It is against the spirit of Crazy Horse."

Work on the monument continues today. There is no time frame as to when it is scheduled to be completed. Many return each year to see what progress has been made.

It was a long day of sigh-seeing but lots of fun. John and I had dinner that night with his old neighbors from Seattle. They had a great time catching up on family and good times spent together.

Sunday was free during the day and it was a beautiful afternoon. We had returned to the coach were spending a quiet time when there was a knock on the door. It seems that Gayla and Myron had been locked out of their coach. The key would not open the door. Myron got out a ladder and opened a window and crawled into the coach.....and still the door could not be opened. Now....... the question of the day is......how many pilots does it take to open a coach door???????? Five!! That is how many offered assistance. It took most of the afternoon but success was achieved and finally the door was opened and the problem discovered. (Gayla has a photo of the five pilots working on the door problem!!)

That evening was the final banquet at the hotel. Another wonderful evening was had by all. Not sure if we will be able to attend next year in Omaha but we shall see...

Early on Monday morning the RV's began pulling out to head home or where ever the road may take them. We are on our way to Minnesota for a few days. John is hoping that the weather will hold and we will not encounter snow!!!! It is almost October you know!!

More later.... until then,
Love to all,
Candy and Johnny

Billings, MT to Buffalo, WY

We left the Billings KOA on Tuesday, September 21 and headed to Buffalo, Wyoming.
Along the way we could see that some of the trees were beginning to turn shades of yellow and orange, a sign that fall is in the air! On the road to Wyoming we did see Antelope along the roadside. It was funny, when we were in Montana we did not see many Antelope and once we crossed the boarder into Wyoming, there were Antelope all along the road. John is always surprised when we pull into the campground in Buffalo, Wyoming, that there are wild turkeys running around the campground. He says that when we was younger and out to hunt turkeys they were no where to be seen and now we see them all over the place!!

We stayed in Buffalo for two nights. The first night that we were there our friends Gary and Courtney pulled into the campground and joined us. We all went across the street to the local restaurant and had one of the best dinners. Of all things on the menu was Oysters Rockefeller.....they were outstanding to say the least! Who would have thought you would find these in the middle of the country?

Gary and Courtney left the next day, however we decided to stay and do a little more sight seeing. We had been here several years ago during our first year of RVing. We went over to the little town of Story(just to the east of Buffalo). We had stopped there before and had a great lunch at the "General Store'. Unfortunately you can't go home again, as was once written. The little town was all but gone. A few brave souls still live there but the General Store was all closed up. It was a great store....so much stuff!!!!! We left Story and drove through Buffalo, once again the little town is fading. So many businesses were closed or going out of business. It is sad to see these little towns go by the wayside!

The next day we were off to Rapid City for the Retired Northwest Pilots Association convention.

More on that later....

Until then, we love to hear from you.

Candy and Johnny

Wedding in Mississippi

John and I left Montana on September 16, and flew to Memphis where we rented a car and drove to West Point, Mississippi where John's cousin Ann grew up. We left our coach in the KOA RV park in Billings and left early in the am on a flight for Memphis, TN. The temperature when we left Montana was in the 50's. When we stepped off the plane in Memphis we were greeted with temperatures in the 90's. I think that John was ready to get back on the plane and head back to Montana!!!!

John was to give the Bride away! I must say that he looked pretty dapper in his tux! The Bride was beautiful! and all went well. We had a wonderful time and met some very nice people. One couple was from Argentina and the other from Chicago. We had such a nice time with them!

We left Mississippi and flew back to Montana on Monday, September 20. We picked up our coach and headed to Buffalo, Wyoming for a few days before heading to Rapid City for the Retired Pilots Convention.

We had a great time at the convention!!! It is always such fun to see old friends and share stories of days gone by. It is such a shame that the airline business will never be the same!!!!

From Rapid City we are off to the Twin Cities in Minnesota to see the Grandchildren and spend a few days before heading out to Washington, DC.

More on our adventures later. Until then, I hope that now that summer is almost at its close everyone is well and enjoying the fall weather!

Love to all,

Candy and John

Little Bighorn Battlefield 2010/09/13

The day dawned a sunny bright warm day and once again we headed out to see the local sights! We headed east out of Billings and about 60 miles down Interstate -90 we turned into the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana.
Our first stop was in the visitor center. An announcement was made that in a few minutes there would be a Ranger Talk on the plaza just outside the building. The Ranger told the story of the Battle of Little Bighorn. He was a fantastic story teller! He really made the story come to life.

The battle of Little Bighorn was a clash of cultures!!
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument memorializes one of the last armed efforts of the Northern Plains Indians to preserve their ancestral way of life. Here in the valley of the Little Bighorn River on two hot days in June, 1876, more than 260 soldiers and attached personnel of the U.S. Army
met defeat and death at the hands of several thousand Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Among the dead were Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and every member of his immediate command. Although the Indians won the battle, they subsequently lost the war against the military efforts to end their independent way of life.

The top photo is of Last Stand Hill, where Custer and his men died. There are markers through out the area to mark where men of the 7th Calvary died.

From the second photo you can see the Little Bighorn River off in the distance where the Indians camped prior to the battle.

The third photo is just under the memorial at the top of Last Stand Hill and tells about the memorial.

The bottom photo is from the Indian Memorial that is a short walk from Last Stand Hill.
It wasn't until 1999 that red markers were placed here to honor the Indians that also lost their lives in the Battle. The remains of the Indians had been removed after the battle and taken back to the Indian grounds for burial.


The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument was established on January 29, 1879 by the Secretary of War. It was first preserved as a U.S. National Cemetery to protect the graves of the 7th Calvary troopers buried there. It was named Custer National Cemetery. The National Monument covers 765 acres of land.

In 1877 Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer was re- interred at West Point Cemetery.

On March 22, 1946, the site was re designated: Custer Battlefield National Monument.

On October 15, 1966, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

December 10, 1991, the site was renamed Little Bighorn National Monument by a law signed by President George H.W. Bush.

It was a very interesting place to visit. I highly recommend this as a place to visit, and if you do, please do not miss the Ranger talk!!!!


That is all for this installment.

Candy and Johnny

9/11/2010 Missoula to Billings

It was a cool morning when we left Jam and Mary's Rv Resort in Missoula, MT and headed east to Billings Montana. It had rained for the past several days and on top of the mountains off in the distance there was snow on the tops of those mountains. It was beautiful to look at and we were so very glad that we were not going to be driving in the snow!!

We arrived in Billings and pulled into the Billing KOA (Kampgrounds of America). As it turns out this is the very first KOA in the country.
The year was 1962. Billings, Montana businessman, Dave Drum, walked his cottonwood-shaded land along the Yellowstone River. He watched the baggage-laden cars and RV's zip down U.S. 10 pm the way to the Seattle's World Fair.
Drum knew that affordable places to stay along the was were few and far between for those weary travelers. He saw an opportunity.
Drum quickly constructed a campground on his land that offered hot showers, clean restrooms, a small store and a patch of grass - all for $1.75 a night.
The campground was an instant hit! Today there are 475 KOA Kampground locations throughout the United States and Canada.


As we were setting up our campsite, another RV pulled in next to us and to our surprise it was a Tropi-Cal, exactly like ours!!!! It turned out that the couple was from Key West, Florida. They were new to camping and were not exactly where they were going to go from here, we shared some of our information with them. They eventually wanted to go to the Grand Teton National Park and were going to go through Yellowstone. We told them about staying in Cody and all there was to see and do there and then what there was to see in East Yellowstone. They thanked us for the information and the next day headed to Cody, WY. I hope they enjoy the area as much as we have in the past!!

That is all for now, we are heading out to Little Bighorn Battlefield soon....more later.

Candy and Johnny