I attended an internment last week. The person laid to rest was a coworker and I knew his family pretty well as three of them were also coworkers and now friends. I had never been to Arlington (ANC, the former home of R.E. Lee), though I knew a decent amount about it. I felt bad about taken pictures in a place like this, but I wanted something to remember the experience by.
The feeling I had was mixed to say the least. On the one hand I was glad to see some many friends and I was honored to be able to attend the event at Arlington, but along with that we were saying goodbye to a special man. I guess my feelings for the place were shared by all who visit. Many of the tourist stopped as the funeral procession went past in reverence and I saw the emotion on almost all their faces. I was filled in awe of the place. Taking a look at the inscription on a specific grave was a chance to see the individual details of the great sacrifice many people have made for our country in service for some and death for others. The chaplain said something to the effect of: the 400,000 people laid to rest here not one was bought, all were earned.
Three of the seven at ready:
The gunmen and the graves:
Folding the flag.
This shady spot, was it laying ready for the next veteran. I think it would be a nice place to lay for eternity.
Near the grave site was this monument to the Pentagon 9/11 victims:
