Arlington National Cemetery – Amphitheater
For those of you who have visited this website often, you know the love and admiration I have for Arlington National Cemetery and since June of 2010 with the new management, things have gotten so much better!
Over the last decade plus, the hours which I’ve walked and worked among those acres of heroes at rest are countless, but each time it’s a place that I welcome to visit time and time again.
I spent St. Patrick’s Day 2013 in a very unusual and festive way… It was truly an honor to be selected to photograph the change of responsibility and retirement of an US Army Airborne Ranger … at the Amphitheater of Arlington National Cemetery. When President Woodrow Wilson dedicated it in May of 1920, it became a place where special events happen. These include: Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, Memorial Day remembrance in May and honoring those who served in November on Veterans’ Day. It would be later that year in 1920 that the first Unknown Soldier would be interred.
But back to the historic event … it was a first … a first time that such an event would happen, where the echoes of great events still resonate within the marble structure. On 17 MAR 2013… new echoes would join them…
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GHTime Code(s): nc nc Posted 1 month, 4 weeks ago at 10:08 am. 1 comment
The Crocus are here! Arlington National Cemetery is beginning it’s annual burst of cascading colors.
It was a great surprise to see them just where I expected. I discovered them years ago while walking among the acres of the United States’ shrine to the real heroes that have made this country great. The patch of them are down the hill, near the Old Amphitheater. It has gotten larger each year as the number of bulbs multiply… perhaps one day it’ll cover the entire expanse in shades of purple, violet and white…
Other signs of the coming colors were the shoots of narcissus and daffodils poking their greenery along the roadside on the other side of Arlington National Cemetery. Signaling that Spring is on its way. Expanses of tulips will surround the other Amphitheater where the Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded continuously by the 3d Infantry Regiment of the US Army – The Old Guard. Perhaps hyacinths with their sweet fragrance will surround the Old Amphitheater
Soon the flowering trees will show their blossoms – cherry, the red-bud and more.
You might enjoy exploring some more of Arlington National Cemetery images in the Gallery.
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago at 12:15 pm. 1 comment
From the Scenes of
Arlington National Cemetery
Collection
As Arlington National Cemetery continued to expand, over time there were gates erected that marked the various entrances to this national shrine where the heroes of the United States are at rest in their final sleep…
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GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc nc Posted 3 months, 1 week ago at 11:01 pm. 3 comments
It’s 20 January 2013, something special is happening at Arlington National Cemetery…
It’s amazing what good management with a vision and passion will do… that has been on-going now for nearly three years at the United States of America’s shrine to heroes who have served and fought to keep the freedoms of the republic. Today was another “expect the unexpected” as I was told at the event where a statue to “The Bugler” was unveiled at the newly renovated interior of the Visitors’ Center.
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GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 3 months, 4 weeks ago at 8:29 pm. Add a comment
The military is abundant with traditions, ceremony and pageantry, but most of all and foremost is traditions. Having had the privilege and honor to work among so many military units over the last decade plus, I’ve been exposed to many traditions that are memorable and stand out in my mind.
Recently I was in Arlington National Cemetery following up on taking headstone photos of final honors I had photographed when off in the distance was an Old Guard Soldier along with a woman who I later found out was his wife.
She was taking photos of him standing next to a headstone and as I approached, I engage them in conversation with a question about did the bus leave without you? “No sir.” was the reply, “This was my last final honors and I’m being transferred, so I’ll walk out of the cemetery. ”
With camera in hand, I offered to take a few photographs of him and his bride. With that done, they began their walk back to Fort Myer passing the many heroes who are nestled in perpetual sleep among the acres of Arlington. Thank you Soldier… Thank you for your service.
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 9:33 am. Add a comment
Eternal Flame at President Kennedy's Grave
25 NOV 1963 - The world was focused on Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, for the United States of America was paying final honors to it’s fallen President.
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GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc nc Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 12:13 pm. Add a comment
First known as Fort Whipple when it was part of the Defenses of Washington DC during the US Civil War, Fort Myer, Virginia is key in the US Air Force’s history. A significant milestone, actually the cornerstone, as the first military aviation flights occurred on Post in September 1908 when the Wright Flyer ascended the skies above the drill field. In response to the US Army’s Signal Corps request, the fledgling craft would spend the days of the next week that September circling the acres where the US Army’s cavalry and field artillery trained and General Philip Sheridan deemed a showcase for the Cavalry.
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Posted 1 year, 8 months ago at 12:46 pm. Add a comment
For weeks, the 3d Infantry Regiment of the US Army – The Old Guard – has been on a mission within Arlington National Cemetery … The prestigious ceremonial unit, which calls Fort Myer their home since 1948, has been photographing each of the headstones within the hallowed ground of what was once the Custis-Lee estate.
More here…
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 1 year, 8 months ago at 10:37 pm. Add a comment
Friday, 25 MARCH 2011 came and went with little fanfare, it seems the country was focused on basketball, events around the world or didn’t really know that a day was set aside to raise the awareness of the true heroes, most of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice and never saw the medal they were awarded… Continue Reading…
GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc nc nc Posted 2 years, 1 month ago at 11:49 am. Add a comment
The last living WWI from the United States passed away in February 2011. Since his passing marks the end of an era, efforts were made to allow him to lie in honor in the US Capitol Rotunda. Instead, the pleas of the people have gone unanswered and he will lie in honor in an obscure chapel, which most people don’t know even exists at Arlington National Cemetery’s Amphitheater. In my opinion, not really fitting for “the last one”
As the grandson of someone who closed his newly established business after he “legally” emigrated from Poland to serve as a machine gunner in France during WW I, I believe in my heart of hearts that we have forgotten the sacrifices of the millions who were involved in the War … and those that have followed.
The supposed current leaders of the United States have forgotten the lesson from the Father of Our Country who said:
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”
- George Washington
Perhaps if those who are in power served in the military, they would understand the sacrifices made by those who serve and their families.
I personally consider each one of them irresponsible, uncaring and totally unpatriotic – I am proud to say that I’ve voted for none of them and given the opportunity, would not vote for them… ever.
GHTime Code(s): nc Posted 2 years, 2 months ago at 8:30 pm. Add a comment
