Veterans Day.
Tomorrow I shall be awake with the chickens, the fishermen, the farmers, the hungry infants and the hopeless insomniacs. Also awake will be Da Chef of da Future (Army Vet) and Ken, my bodyguard (Air Force Vet), two of the Usual Suspects, as we will be heading off to Washington D.C. for Veterans Day.
I have been to the nation’s capital several times over the years, but each time the trip involved business, leaving no time for seeing the things I’d wanted to see. Tomorrow, I will finally get to see Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the World War II Memorial.
It should be a great day, albeit one of mixed emotions.
I cried at the Korean War monument… I found it haunting.
I went to the WWII monument expecting it not to effect me as I know so many people who served, so many stories, been to Pearl Harbor… and I wept. And wept.
I didn’t make it to The Wall. I was such a mess after those two, I would have turned into a puddle at The Wall, uncontrollable sobbing… I saw it coming. I’m not ready for that one yet… and I may never be.
Have a wonderful time in DC. So much to see… during the day the history, at night Johns turning tricks. Only in our Capital do you get such variety.
Comment by Bou — November 10, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
I love DC. Walked all over Arlington National Cemetery. I remember seeing signs “no bicycling” which made me shake my head (that people need to be TOLD not to cycle thru a cemetery at all, ever, but even moreso THAT one).
Incredible place. Safe travels to you.
Comment by dogette — November 10, 2009 @ 11:24 pm
Wishing you a safe and memorable trip this Veteran’s Day. Bou describes the emotions I too had visiting the monuments. I did manage The Wall, and it was very moving. I think I was better prepared, so I kept it together. The Korean caught me by surprise – and it stays with me… And the WWII, so long overdue, is majestic. It is particularly special if you get to meet some of the WWII vets there.
Hoping for fair weather, and good peeps in the crowds, and that you have a very good day.
Thank you for your service, sir.
Comment by jck — November 10, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Make sure you hit the bathroom before you go to Arlington Cemetery. That way you won’t be tempted to piss on Teddy’s grave.
I wish I was there to drive you around. I used to give a great car tour of DC (lived in No VA for 3 years). So much to see there. Have a great time, and take lots of pictures.
…and thank YOU for your service, Jimbo!
Comment by Jerry in Indiana — November 10, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
The wall is always a sombering experience. Every time. I wish I could walk alongside you. These memorials move the soul at a deep level. You will be amazed.
Comment by Lee — November 11, 2009 @ 1:34 am
I still cry thinking about Arlington.
Pass on my respects to those wonderful folks.
Comment by Mr. Bingley — November 11, 2009 @ 8:14 am
I love going to D.C. Arlington is quite an experience and when i get there in short order, I will pull a Nelson from the Simpson’s, point at Teddy’s grave and say “Haaa-haaaaa”.
I always go to The Tomb so as to see military execution in its finest.
The WWII Memorial is spectacular and The Wall does me in every time.
I am going to pull a Michael Moore and walk up to the Capitol steps with a bullhorn and announce Congressional Democrats are being placed under arrest for treason and malfeasance.
Enjoy your trip Jimbo. There are a few good steakhouses in town that also serve quality type libations as well.
Comment by RobbieRob — November 11, 2009 @ 9:03 am
Thank you for your military service.
Comment by hoosierboy — November 11, 2009 @ 9:36 am
…. safe trip, Jimbo….. and thank you for your service to our counry….
Comment by Eric — November 11, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Cool Runnings my friend…be prepared to tear-up…OH, and THANKS…
Comment by Yabu — November 11, 2009 @ 9:41 am
Massa Jimbo,
I am from Brazil and, when I went to DC, one of my purposes was to see Arlington. I don’t know why, but, deep inside, I think I wanted to pay my respects to the wonderful guys and girls thar died for me – one unknown old lady from Brazil (it is written on the Memorial of Korean War, that the men and women died for people they didn’t even know …). I felt a big lump in my throat when I saw many Vets strolling with buddies along the Wall, and crying … And then I had a picture of me with two Vets of WWII and Korea. It was an honour for me!
Great Veterans Day for you, Jimbo!!
Ah, yes, while walking through those alleys, I saw a flock of birds flying … One of the most wonderful images I had from that trip.
Comment by Maria Edi — November 11, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
Happy Veterans Day, and have a safe trip.
Comment by Kevin — November 11, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
A Salute to all my fellow Vets, Vietnam, before, after, and in the future.
PRH
14th SPS Nha Trang RVN 1960
377th SPS Tan Son Nhut(Saigon) 1970
Comment by Pat Houseworth — November 11, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
FWIW, I made this circuit through DC one Christmas Day about 20 years ago. Very few tourists are out there before noon on Christmas. It was very moving, to be at those monuments sans crowds.
Comment by MorningGlory — November 11, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
One day I will make it down there. Of course I teared up just reading the comments, I’ll be a mess when I actually go in person, but I will one day. Have a wonderful trip and Thank You!
Comment by Teresa — November 11, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
I was named after an uncle shot down and whose body was never recovered in the Pacific war. So when I visited Hawaii I looked for the wall with our name engraved in it.
There are a lot of names on those walls.
By the way, make sure you save a couple days in DC to visit the Smithsonian.
Comment by Carl Brannen — November 11, 2009 @ 9:15 pm
It seems strange but when I was stationed at the Pentagon during the Kennedy and LBJ era, I used to drive through Arlington cemetery on my way to and from work as a shortcut. Doubt I could do it any more.
But the memorials really get to me. I used to have a tour I gave all who visited from home. We used to have people sleeping on our living room floor almost every week during the summer and I had a tour laid out so that I could drive all over DC and tell them on your left is this and on your right is that. The Unknown Soldier always got to me but the one that really freaked me out was the Lincoln Memorial. I saw so many people bopping into that one and so few bopping out of it. I would imagine the Vietnam Memorials have the same affect on those who visit it. I know I could not because of all the people I knew who lost their lives there. So many I knew from the Pentagon and also so many I met who were on their way over and never made it back. I still remember a buddy of my landlady’s son who was so excited to go and he was shot on his 3rd day there. Terrible memories and yet thinking that they gave their lives freely for the country and our current POS pres is throwing them all away.
Comment by dick — November 11, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
To Jimbo,a great veteran. Hoping you have a wonderful time in Washington and thank you for your service!!
Comment by Gerald Ludwig — December 7, 2009 @ 12:19 pm