Saluting Our Troops

This weekend, my roommate and I had the opportunity to experience some of the best Memorial Day festivities that our nation has to offer.  Living in the epicenter of American memorials and monuments, there was no shortage of activities to be a part of this past weekend.  Through some careful planning, we were able to see about five different sites that featured Memorial Day events this weekend.

The sightseeing began with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery.  A few of us had made the trip over earlier in the quarter, but it was a very different experience this past weekend.  Each of the over 250,000 gravestones and memorials had American flags placed in front of them which, with the sun shining brightly, made for some great pictures.  The visit also gave me the chance to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by American servicemen and women.  The cemetery gives a striking visual for the number of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

On Sunday evening, we made our way to the U.S. Capitol’s west lawn to watch the National Memorial Day Concert.  The event was being hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise featuring the National Symphony Orchestra with guests such as Colin Powell, Daughtry, and Trace Adkins.  We arrived early and had good seats in perfect line with the center of the stage.  After a two and a half hour wait for the start of the show, we were able to see a moving tribute to a soldier’s widow, performances by the symphony, and a brief speech by Colin Powell.  Only about thirty-five minutes in, however, the U.S. Capitol police took the microphone saying the concert was being cancelled with severe storms moving into the Washington area.

On Monday morning we woke up bright and early to be at the World War II Memorial for a 9am wreath-laying ceremony.  Unfortunately, the 9am wreath-laying ceremony had become an 8:30am wreath-laying and most guests were leaving as we arrived.   Undeterred, we headed back east to witness a similar ceremony at the Navy Memorial, an impressive tribute to naval forces past, present, and future.


From the Navy Memorial, we made our way to the main event of the day, a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Once again it required a pass through extensive security and a two hour wait under a scorching sun.  After remarks by Leon Panetta, Ken Salazar and others, President Barack Obama took the stage.  He welcomed home the Vietnam veterans saying that they had not received a proper reception upon their return from war almost fifty years ago.  The theme of thanking those whom America had disregarded during the Vietnam era continued through his speech.  Although only a speck in the distance, it was a thrill to be able to witness Obama’s speech in person.  The event concluded our busy weekend of sightseeing leaving me with profound respect for those who have served and are serving our nation, and the worst sunburn I have had in many years.

- Eric Nash