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GRAVE PERSPECTIVE
Monday Aug. 15, 2016
Perspective – seeing things from where we sit.
From a different place, we see things differently. As we always perceived them, bringing along our viewpoint, unaltered by our current place, or change? Not necessarily.
I visited Arlington’s infamous cemetery yesterday – walked amid rows upon rows, perfectly aligned soldiers, identical white markers, remarkable for their distinction and their common bond – military service. Sacrifice.
Men and women who served, and immediate family members. There seems no pattern, when you read markers, of when or where they served – but something startled me – every marker I saw was someone who died during my lifetime. I didn’t explore across many acres of perfect rows of white markers to find much older graves – that didn’t feel right.
History of that property (several times expanded since) pre-cemetery, involved members of Gen. Washington and Gen. Lee families – by forfeiting for non-payment of taxes, descendants of two great leaders have provided that magnificent resting place for so many soldiers who died in so many wars.
Big attraction drawing visitors yesterday (it does every day), visited the JFK grave and eternal flame which seems, as surrounding area has been expanded, such an out of proportion memorial vis-à-vis single markers of many thousands who lost lives also serving country.
I returned from my trip (a drive by the Pentagon proved the best view is an aerial photo), two Potomac crossings later, I found my ‘correct route’ to my hotel room, turned on TV – PBS airing a bio of JFK. First image I saw was John and Jacquie Kennedy. I had just visited their graves. I had watched his funeral live on TV in 1963.
written / published from Arlington, VA
morning walk: 23C/74F, exploring the area but not straying far enough to lose my bearings – sunny, gentle breeze after thunderstorms in the area cooled things off for a while, traffic is mondaymorninghum- mode and I will hunker down on work today, saving tourist things for tomorrow
Reader feedback:
RECHARGING
In D.C.? I have only one word for you: Hell Burger. side of macaroni . Don't forget to tell the American to COOK the burger before handing it to you. Have a great vacation, Mark musing, EH, Calgary, AB
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