Memorial Day in Washington DC

Arlington National Cemetery Washington DC

This week during the Memorial Day weekend, my wife and i had a very good time roaming the streets of Washington DC and visiting its famous landmark buildings and memorials. On the Memorial Day May 25th 2015, we started our morning by visiting the Arlington National Cemetery and paying our homage to the thousands of martyr American soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in various wars across the globe, including the two World Wars and Vietnam War. Check the photos of memorials including World War 2 Memorial here.

On the Way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

It was a very thoughtful morning for us. There were friends and families of dead soldiers who had come to the cemetery to remember their loved ones. Though it was a clear bright day, there were tears flowing somewhere all around us that morning. Seeing the final resting place of over 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families, i could not help thinking the relevance of wars. Some say war brings peace. Some say war is waged to punish the ills flourishing around us. Some see war as a necessary evil to boost up the local defense manufacturers and garner electoral support. For me, the truth is that war is the darkest period of any country’s history where so many lives are lost, be it the home country or the opponent’s.

Honor Guards for the President at the Arlington National Cemetery Washington DC

American President Barack Obama was also present there, laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery. Though we could not reach the Tomb on time, along with hundreds of people we waited outside the Tomb in the Cemetery to catch a glimpse of him. And we did see him waving to the people from inside his car. I am not sure what thoughts must have passed in his mind remembering thousands of soldiers dead in so many wars. However, i am quite certain that the man (and not the politician) of his stature and repute would never want a war.

President Barack Obama Motorcade

After a morning with heavy heart, in the late afternoon, we decided to catch the fresh air in the beautiful old area of Georgetown in Washington DC. It is a very nice laid-out suburb of DC, with plenty of restaurants and shops, and just few minutes away from Foggy Bottom Metro Station. You can catch the DC Circulator Bus from the DC downtown to Georgetown.

Georgetown Washington Harbor

From Georgetown Washington Harbor, we took the sunset cruise of Potomac Riverboat Company on Potomac river to the old city of Alexandria. It was a 45-minute one-way tour, costing $15. On the way to Alexandria, we passed by many historical monuments of DC. We crossed this abandoned bridge, very close to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, with a flight about to descend at the airport. More photos of the weekly photo challenge – On the Way – can be found here.

On the Way to Alexandria Virginia – Potomac Sunset River Cruise

Alexandria in the Virginia state is a very historical city where the first European settlement was established in 1695. During the War of 1812 with British, this city was completely raided by the British ships. Today, the old city of Alexandria boasts of a number of eating joints, several chip shops and boutiques, historical buildings and museums for the tourists and plenty of activities for everyone.

***

Do let me know your thoughts on war and Memorial Day. Have you visited Washington DC or Georgetown or the city of Alexandria? What has been your memories of trips to these places? Do share them with all of us here.