The Schumin Web Salutes America II
- Part 1 -
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 The Schumin Web Salutes America II, photographed in its entirety on November 10, 2001, carries the theme "Great Americans". Here, we celebrate our fellow citizens who served our country in many different ways, died for our country, and contributed to it, as we visit various memorials in Arlington, Virginia and Washington DC. On this trip, my first to Washington DC since the events of September 11, 2001, I was very much curious about what security in the city would be like, as well as that in the rest of the DC metro area. Thankfully, it turned out to be the Washington DC I have always known, with only the usual National Park Service employees around to provide information and the Park Police keeping order at the monuments.
The format of this photography set, like the first Salute to America photo set, is different from most. Rather than a focus exclusively on a subject, this photography set focuses on the day, as we pass by many different subjects, starting with the trip into Washington...
Up near Manassas, we ran into a little bit of a traffic jam...
Behind me was a semi... always a comforting thought of having that much vehicle hugging my rear bumper.
Hmmm... lane ending. This explains the jam, as you have a lot of people taking the right lane until the very last minute and then trying to get in ahead of things. Me, I merge into the proper lane early, and then don't let the people in when they try to get in up near where the lane ends.
Drumming fingers on the wheel... la-de-da-de-doo...
I always hate passing mileage signs when I'm stuck in traffic. It's kind of like, that's nice that they're so close. Not like I'm going to get near them any time soon...
This is what they were doing. Seems that they were servicing the sign above the roadway. The traffic jam cleared right after this spot.
Now I'm parked in the north garage at Vienna. I ended up having to take the stairs down, due to elevator repairs. Here, Metro employees were working to get this contraption back in motion...
Today's headlines showed that I had nothing to be concerned about... everything is super. Just a Saturday, and about as normal as can be.
Stopped at Rosslyn again, though this time just to get a Pepsi. This is the Rosslyn Center building, which contains the entrance to the Rosslyn Metro station.
After Rosslyn, I proceeded directly to the Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line. While there, we found out that the software that runs the displays was being upgraded, and so we had to rely on the "old" technology of the blinking lights along the platform edge and watching for train headlights to tell when a train was coming.
And now, seeing daylight above, welcome to Arlington National Cemetery!
As the final resting place of over 260,000 people, Arlington National Cemetery is a shrine to many great Americans. Buried here are servicemen, two former Presidents, and other notables. I went out in search of two specific resting places - that of President Kennedy, and the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Welcome to Arlington National Cemetery!
As previously stated, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many servicemen, who served in all different time periods, and from the different branches of the service.
This marker is dedicated by the Colonel Reuben H. Tucker Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division Assoc., to the memory of every member, past and present, living and deceased, who served in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Arlington House, formerly owned by Robert E. Lee.
Now, it's time to go find President Kennedy.
One thing that I took objection to in the cemetery, was that the Tourmobile buses were permitted inside the cemetery to an extent. I say keep those Tourmobile buses outside the cemetery where they belong...
Please act with propriety, and give your silence and respect, in order that our dead are properly honored.
Overlooking the Washington Monument, President Kennedy's immortal words are engraved.
From Kennedy's gravesite, visitors can see the Lincoln Memorial, and many other buildings in Washington.
Here is the final resting place of John F. Kennedy.
Next to President Kennedy is the final resting place of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Flanking President and Mrs. Kennedy are the eternal flame, as well as two Kennedy children who died while still very young.
This is the eternal flame of John F. Kennedy, marking his gravesite for years to come.
Just down from President Kennedy is Robert Kennedy, President Kennedy's brother and Attorney General, killed in 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan.
After visiting President Kennedy, I walked to the Tomb of the Unknowns.
In the Amphitheater, Sentinels give informational briefings on the Tomb of the Unknowns, provided that no one else needs the facility.
Here, a soldier, complete with rifle and bayonet, guards the tomb. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD"
Inside are the remains of an unknown soldier from World War I, and unknown soldiers from World War II and Korea. In addition, an unknown soldier from Vietnam was buried here for a period, until exhumed, identified, and reburied elsewhere. It was determined, however, that the crypt where the Vietnam unknown was buried will remain empty.
The soldier guarding the tomb followed a routine whereby he stood at one end of the area motionless, then turned, walked to the other end, adjusted his rifle, clicked his heels together, and then held that position before repeating.
Outside the cemetery, just before going over a bridge over the Metro station, is a memorial to the Navy Seabees.
"With compassion for others, we build - we fight for peace with freedom."
Continue on to Part 2...
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