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fandomhigh2014-05-21 09:20 am
professor-lyman.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2014-05-21 09:20 am
These United States [Wednesday, May 21, 2014]
Today the class was meeting in front of the gates of Arlington National Cemetery. "Despite what commercials right now might be telling you, Memorial Day isn't a time to commerorate cheap mattresses and cars," Josh began, "or to celebrate the start of 101 days of drinking and summer debauchery until Labor Day. It's a time when we're supposed to take a moment and reflect on the fact that when our nation has needed them to, people have answered the call to take up arms in our defense, and not all of them have made it home. Not by a long shot. More than a million men and women have died while wearing the uniform of the United States, and the very least we can do before heading to a barbecue is to think about that."
He gestured around them. "This is Arlington National Cemetery. One hundred and fifty years ago this month, the first soldiers were buried here up in Section 27, which just happened to be General Robert E. Lee's front garden." He pointed up to the house at the top of the hill with the flag waving in front of it. "No one said we were being particularly nice about anything. Pvt. William Henry Christman was the first to be buried here, and he's been followed by more than 400,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. If you've served in the US military, you are eligible to be buried here, and they've been known to make exceptions for historically significant dignitaries, too. The cemetery is divided into 70 sections. Section 60 is where our most recent casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq are being buried, Section 21 is the Nurses' Section, which also includes the Nurses' Memorial and the Spanish-American War Nurses Memorial. Chaplains Hill includes monuments to Jewish, Protestant and Roman Catholic Chaplains."
He ran his hand through his hair. "There's a way to look up people's specific plots if you know anyone who's buried here--the Visitors Center over there will be happy to assist you--but even if you don't know anyone, the cemetery is still something everyone needs to see at least once." He glanced at his watch. "We're going to go up to the Tomb of the Unknowns now, then we'll do a little more exploring. I know I don't have to tell you this, but this is a cemetery, so please be quiet and respectful."
He gestured around them. "This is Arlington National Cemetery. One hundred and fifty years ago this month, the first soldiers were buried here up in Section 27, which just happened to be General Robert E. Lee's front garden." He pointed up to the house at the top of the hill with the flag waving in front of it. "No one said we were being particularly nice about anything. Pvt. William Henry Christman was the first to be buried here, and he's been followed by more than 400,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. If you've served in the US military, you are eligible to be buried here, and they've been known to make exceptions for historically significant dignitaries, too. The cemetery is divided into 70 sections. Section 60 is where our most recent casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq are being buried, Section 21 is the Nurses' Section, which also includes the Nurses' Memorial and the Spanish-American War Nurses Memorial. Chaplains Hill includes monuments to Jewish, Protestant and Roman Catholic Chaplains."
He ran his hand through his hair. "There's a way to look up people's specific plots if you know anyone who's buried here--the Visitors Center over there will be happy to assist you--but even if you don't know anyone, the cemetery is still something everyone needs to see at least once." He glanced at his watch. "We're going to go up to the Tomb of the Unknowns now, then we'll do a little more exploring. I know I don't have to tell you this, but this is a cemetery, so please be quiet and respectful."
Sign in [5/21]
Tomb of the Unknowns
The 72 metric ton marble tomb is inscribed with the words, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." Inside are entombed an unknown soldier from World War I, World War II and Korea. The Vietnam War soldier was identified in 1998 and was taken home and buried in Missouri. It has since been decided that the Vietnam War crypt will remain empty.
The Tomb of the Unknowns has been perpetually guarded since July 2, 1937 by the Third Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") of the US Army. There is a meticulous routine that is followed in his or her patrol. The Tomb Guard:
1.Marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb.
2. Turns, faces east for 21 seconds.
3. Turns and faces north for 21 seconds.
4. Takes 21 steps down the mat.
5. Repeats the routine until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard, every half hour during the summer months, and every two hours after the cemetery closes to the public.
After each turn, the Guard executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the Guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat.
The class is in time to watch the Changing of the Guard.
Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial
The Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial was dedicated on May 20, 1986, in memory of the crew of flight STS-51-L, who died during launch on January 28, 1986. Transcribed on the back of the stone is the text of the John Gillespie Magee, Jr. poem High Flight (http://www.skygod.com/quotes/highflight.html), which was quoted by then President Ronald Reagan when he addressed the disaster. Although many remains were identified and returned to the families for private burial, some were not, and were laid to rest under the marker. Two crew members, Scobee and Smith, are buried in Arlington. On February 1, 2004, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe dedicated a similar memorial to those who died when the Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry on February 1, 2003. Astronauts Laurel Clark, David Brown and Michael Anderson, who were killed in the Columbia disaster, are also buried in Arlington.
John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame
One of the most visited spots in Arlington Cemetery is the eternal flame (newly renovated) of President John F. Kennedy. The plaza around the grave site and eternal flame is engraved with quotes by the President, who was assassinated in Dallas Texas on November 22, 1963.
Two of his children and his brothers Robert (who was also assassinated) and Ted are buried nearby. Josh will go on and on and on about JFK if you let him.
Around the Cemetery
Talk to Josh or Mercy!
OOC
Re: Sign in [5/21]
Re: Tomb of the Unknowns
Re: John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame
Re: Sign in [5/21]
Re: Tomb of the Unknowns
Sorrow weighed heavily here, and so did pride. She did not know what had caused the wars that the soldiers buried here had died in, but it did not matter.
People remembered their sacrifices.
Re: Around the Cemetery
Her progress was slow, partly because of her limp, but more because this did not seem to be a thing meant to be rushed. She knew no one buried in the cemetery, but she'd known many, many soldiers in her time and this allowed her to reflect on them as well.
Re: Sign in [5/21]
Re: Talk to Josh or Mercy!
Re: Sign in [5/21]
Re: Tomb of the Unknowns
Re: OOC
. . . aaaaaaaaaand tearing up at work now.
Re: Around the Cemetery
It didn't matter what she thought about the wars being fought in her lifetime. Each person here had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. No one could ask for more than that.
Re: Around the Cemetery
It seemed entirely fitting, considering their surroundings.
Re: OOC
Here we're watching American Forces TV and Memorial Day and the week leading up is just a nonstop sobfest. We're getting Band of Brothers followed by The Pacific, with a documentary on wounded vets somewhere in between.
This Friday's movie is about the Japanese internment camps.
no subject
Re: OOC
Re: OOC