Day 6 in Washington, D.C.

Looks like we may have brought some of the New York rain with us! It wasn't that bad, just a little drizzle in the morning but it was enough to worry us. We started off with a good hike in Arlington National Cemetery. Starting with the Kennedy Grave site. The normal eternal flame is out of commission right now so there was a backup one working. Along with JFK is his wife and two babies that are buried with them. Near JFK's grave are his brothers.

After the Kennedy Grave site we went up to watch the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We watched as the soldiers kept in perfect unison and time. They looked and acted like robots. After we saw a wreath laying, we went off to the side to talk about the memorial. We happened to luck out and two of the Unknown Soldier Guards were walking around. They came close and talked to our group about being an Unknown Soldier Guard. They debunked some myths from a popular email that is incorrect about how to become a Unknown Soldier Guard.

On our way out we did go to the newest portion of the cemetery. We got to see where they are burying those who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan. There were people in the cemetery visiting loved ones graves. We did have some brave girls that went and offered their condolences. One man was there visiting his daughter who died in Iraq five years ago today. So on the anniversary he comes to pay his respects. He did talk to us for a bit and talked a little about his daughter. It was nice, yet hard to talk to him as you could tell he was still in a lot of pain.

Lots of these graves in this portion of the cemetery have pictures on the backs of the tombstone. Seeing the pictures of them with their families really brings it home and is very emotional to see. Talking to some of the kids it was pointed out that some of these soldiers who died were less than ten years older than they are. Like at other very respectful places, the kids from Kualapu'u did an amazing job. I saw a great maturity from some of them having thoughtful conversations with strangers asking them intelligent questions and showing remorse for their situations. Great job ladies.

John F. Kennedy's grave

Eternal flame for John F. Kennedy

Kennedy family gravesite

Robert F. Kennedy

Kualapu'u front and center for the changing of the guard ceremony

T.J. and Zahya in front of the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier

Ladies with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier walk

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Meeting two of the Tomb of the Unknown Solders Guards

Guard

Group photo with the Unknown Soldier guards.

Iraq and Afghanistan War graves

New graves

After Arlington it was off to the National Cathedral. This is the sixth largest cathedral in the entire world! The architecture was absolutely stunning. Every tiny detail so carefully planned out and done by hand is simply amazing. We got to go downstairs to the crypt where Helen Keller is buried along with her teacher. Fun fact about the cathedral, outside there is a grotesque up high that is of Darth Vader. Pretty cool.

T.C. and Reaiah

Crypt at National Cathedral

Zahya and Mrs. Trinidad at the area where Helen Keller is buried

Kaluhea and Marlina with the Hawaiian flag 

After the National Cathedral was the Holocaust Museum. This was a heavy museum. I heard lots of great questions coming from the kids about what they saw and what they wondered. Lots of questions which is a good thing. As the children get older they will learn more about it and understand the Holocaust better. This was a great museum for them to see. It really opened their eyes. Unfortunately, cameras are not allowed in there so no pictures for this.

Of course there was a dinner for the day. This time we ate at Pizzaria Uno. No cheeseburgers here but plenty of pizza. Smiling faces were abound!

Rista at Martin Luther King JR.

We finished up the evening with a tour of more memorials. We started off at the Martin Luther King JR. statue. We then walked around the Tidal Basin over to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson memorial. Just like in the morning it started to rain. Good thing we are used to it.

Boys with Martin Luther King JR.

Aukai and T.J. with the Jefferson Memorial in the background

Martin Luther King JR.

Roosevelt Memorial

Zahya listening to fancy music.

Ladies in line like they are in the Great Depression

Kualapu'u kids with F.D.R.

Evelyn and Makani at F.D.R. 

Evarista at the F.D.R. Memorial

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Kaua with Thomas Jefferson

Washington Monument with the White House hidden 

We are rapidly approaching the end of our whirlwind trip! One more full day of touring and then we fly home! Amazing how fast this trip is going. Off to Mt. Vernon, the White House, Ford's Theater and more tomorrow. Should be another great day!