A crowded day in DC! Arlington, Independence, Holocaust, and Georgeʻs Home in Mt. Vernon!

Have you ever been to Disneyland during Summer Break? Was it over the top crowded? Did it take forever to do anything? Well, thatʻs exactly how Arlington National Cemetery was this morning. It took us 40 minutes just to go through security. I alway like to bring up firsts for our Kualapuʻu group. This was an unfortunate first. Usually we just walk right into the building and go. Oh well. But holy cow was the place a zoo. I said to Aaron, "man, I know we only come every other year but holy cow Iʻve never seen it anywhere near like this." He replied, "Itʻs never like this."

Arlington National Cemetery is the countries second oldest military cemetery. The first being Gettysburg by a few months. There are just over 400,000 people buried here. There are still 20-30 burials a day. With that many the cemetery will be full in about 30 years. 

In order to be buried here you need to have been killed in combat, injured while serving, was a President,  Supreme Court Justice, serve for twenty years, or being a spouse of somebody buried there. Finally the government could just say "we think youʻre awesome, you can be buried here."

After walking away from the crowd we found a spot where Aaron could stop and tell us stuff like the above mentioned facts. 

Recently deceased Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

First African American Justice, Thurgood Marshall

We then went and saw the Kennedyʻs graves. The most famous one belonging to John F. Kennedy buried next to his wife, Jackie O. Next to them are two children of theirʻs that died in childbirth. Down the way is Johnʻs brother Robert, and then down more another brother Teddy. Teddy being the only one who wasnʻt assassinated. 

The house you see up on the hill sorta is the origins of Arlington Cemetery. In fact, the house is called Arlington House. It used to belong to the famous Southern General, Robert E. Lee. Before he was the general for the south, he was in the United States Army. When Virginia left the union in 1861, he had to make a choice. Stay with the Union or leave and fight with the south. He chose Virginia and the south. 

His house was directly next to Washington, D.C. so the union was right there. After a battle a union man was so mad, especially since his son had been killed in a battle, he decided to get back at the Leeʻs. He tore up Mrs. Leeʻs rose garden which was directly next to the house and buried 2,111 deceased Union soldiers. The Union took over the property. After the war, the Leeʻs sued to get their land back. They even won. But no, they didnʻt want to move back to their home which was now a mass grave right next to their house so they sold the property to the United States Government. It then became Arlington National Cemetery. Interesting story. 

As we went to watch the changing of the guards we encountered our mortal enemies. Other school groups. It was way too crowded when we got there so we went to the amphitheater right next to where we needed to be and Aaron told us all about the Changing of the Guard. 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Everything with the motions the guard does is based off the 21 gun salute. 21 steps, 21 seconds in-between motions.

Full video of the Changing of the Guard

Boxer Joe Lewis

The tree is a living memorial for all past, present, and future soldiers

After leaving Arlington back into the city one last time. We swung by the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Super cool to see the originals even if they are a bit faded. Tomorrow, we will be in Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed!

Actual door at the National Archive that is used! Holy cow so tall.

The last stop in the city was to the Holocaust Museum. We did a part that is geared for kids called Danielʻs Story. It tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child. You walk through the scenes of how his life began peacefully and slowly changed for the worse ending up in a Concentration Camp. Itʻs well put together for students. 

Mt. Vernon here we are! One last big stop today was to Mt. Vernon. Also known as George Washingtonʻs Plantation home. It is a massive property that you can walk all over. We went to the mansion, saw the bed he passed away in, George and Marthaʻs tomb, walked down to the river, stepped into Maryland, walked by his farm, and back up to the museum. Nice long walks!

His dining room

Bed that he died in

George and Marthaʻs tombs

Heading down to the river

Stepping into two states at once! Virginia on the back foot and Maryland on the front.

Chilling in Maryland....ha

The Mansion

We finished our day in Old Alexandria. We first had dinner at a place called Fish Market. After that, off to the Ghost Tour. We were split into two groups again due to our size. We walked around with a guide dressed in old timey clothes and told us stories about different buildings or mishaps and mysteries that surround them or perceived ghostly sightings. Did you touch the gate on the way out of the cemetery?!?! 

And thatʻs it for today! We are currently driving up to Philadelphia to get to our rooms and go to bed. Another exciting day lays ahead of us tomorrow. The City of Brotherly Love awaits!