I have a hard time visiting Arlington National Cemetery. There’s thousands of tourists (myself included), many not from the U.S. at all. It’s not like other cemeteries I visit … it’s manicured, guarded, solemn.
Not being from a military background with little personal connection to the complex, the sacrifice and everything in between, visiting Arlington felt awkward.
It’s beautiful though, with shady groves and rolling green hills. I walked past presidents (JFK, Taft) and heroes (RFK) and I read some amazing stories online as I passed some headstones. I also got there just in time for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – 21 steps, 21 seconds.
I hope the expansions and burials stop one day, for Arlington’s existence is a symptom of a root cause of a large problem.
