Monday we got up early and headed the rest of the way to DC. Arriving in the early afternoon we went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. I enjoyed the Early Flight exhibit and the planets room. I wish my friend Earlene had been able to keep up with me on this. I did walk into the cockpit of a Pan Am airplane and that was cool to see how far airplanes have come.
Tuesday we went to Arlington Cemetery. That was very sobering to me. It brought tears to think about the men and women that have paid the ultimate price for my freedom. Some of the soldiers that are buried there were among the elite. President Kennedy, Audie Murphy (the most decorated soldier), the monuments for the Challenger Space Shuttle accident victims.
I could not help but want to go see DanDad's and Honey's graves. Time did not allow for that. We did break off and go see a grave of a fellow Willowbrooker, Billy. I was amazed to see a three star generals funeral and to find out that the funeral for a general and a private are the same. While there at the cemetery I thought about the week it was. Easter week. Wow the price my Savior paid for me to have freedom in me is unbelievable. The Father, my God, came to earth in the form of a baby. Lived a perfect flawless life here on earth. Spent years trying to teach us about Him. Suffered a brutal night and day of torture and hung on a cross. With total love gave His life for every person on earth past, present and future. Died and was buried. Three days later he rose again and is now my living savior. My connection to God. The only path. Wow. 
At the unknown soldiers grave we watched the guard march back and forth. 21 steps, 21 second pause. 21 steps back, 21 second pause. Then on the hour, every hour, there is a changing of the guard. That was very cool to see. The detail that they have to go through. And to wear a belt that is 2 notch's to tight was unreal. The look so neat and clean. I am both saddened and also happy for the families that there will never be another unknown soldier. With DNA testing that is no longer possible. In fact the Vietnam soldier that was buried here was recently identified and returned to the family for burial.
After lunch at the old post office, we went to the World War II Memorial. I loved this memorial. It was so peaceful and very elegant. I loved the simplicity of the stones with wreaths on them around the perimeter, the water fountains in the middle and the gates representing the two oceans that we entered the war from. The wall of stars that represented the men and women who gave their lives for freedom was impressive.
Then the Korean War Memorial. Life size steel men replicating the trek that we made back and forth along the 38th cordon. 19 statues with reflections in the wall of faces to add up to 38.
The Vietnam Memorial. Not as impressed with this monument as I thought I would be. I know people that fought in this war. I saw first hand my friends that lost legs, arms, sanity because of this war. I did not see this as our guide described it. A knife going into the ground dividing us.
The Lincoln Memorial. I wish I could have seen this at night. There were so many people and so little time to see this. The Civil war is my favorite era to study and read about. I love the costumes and the lifestyle.
The Jefferson Memorial. What a beautiful building this was. 15 minutes just is not enough time!
Wednesday we went to Mount Vernon.
We spent half a day there.
We toured the mansion, the gardens and hiked down to the wharf.
We had lunch at the restaurant that served typical colonial food. I had the meat pie. Yum.
After lunch we went to George Washington's tomb and we as a church were able to lay a wreath on the grave.
It was a special moment for all these men. I could see their pride for the time they served this country and the price they were willing to pay for freedom. Some how this needs to be instilled in every American!
We got the opportunity to stop at the Marine Memorial and took a semi group picture. There were a few that choose to stay on the bus. We again only had 15 minutes to run around it. We debated on how many soldiers there were. Would have made sense to me to have 5 one for each branch of the military but there were 6.
Thursday
We made our way upstairs to see the animal photo contest winners for this year. This is where we caught up with some of our friends. We took a moment to talk and then over to see The Hope Diamond.
We made our way over to the American History Museum and found GI Joe. Amazing that we found him so fast. We had lunch down stairs. The went to the top floor to go see the First Ladies Ball dresses. They were all so beautiful. I would have hated to give up my dress to a museum. We finished out the museum looking at the cars and trains.
Dinner was at Pier 7 on the water. The food was top notch. First course was a fruit plate that was yummy. Then a salad came. After that I had the steaks with broccoli. Dessert was a cake with ice cream in it with strawberries on top. Yum.
After dinner we went to the Kennedy Center for the a play. We laughed so hard! The view form the top of the Kennedy Center was amazing.
Friday morning we toured the Capital Building. I was surprised by how big the building was and how small it felt. The history that is in that building was overwhelming. The people who had a dreams and never let anything stand in there way. So many of them put God first and relied on Him for their strength.
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