We had a buffet breakfast. It was great, especially after a good nights sleep.
There was a young men's choir also staying at our hotel. They joined us for breakfast. We sang for them and then they sang an african chant for us. It was really fun!
After breakfast we loaded the buses and headed for Arlington National Cemetary. We walked around the cemetary and saw many impressive sites.
The shear number of graves was a sobering sight and a reminder how grateful we should be for the freedom we enjoy.
We stopped at various points and Brian shared some of the historical facts and stories.
At the base of the hill where the John F. Kennedy grave site is there are some engravings of quotes from President Kennedy ...
... and also the eternal flame.
Some of the choir taking pictures of the eternal flame
Up the hill is President Kennedy's grave site and the flag flying at half mast in honor of all those who have given their lives for this country
Just to the left of the eternal flame is the gravesite of Robert Kennedy, marked by a small cross
Another quote from John F. Kennedy
Choir members walking through the cemetary
A group of us gather outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to listen to an explanation from Brian
We waited to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The changing of the guard occurs every 30 minutes 24 hours a day. This the military's way of honoring those who died serving their country but their remains could not be identified.
The tomb
Esther Macy & Lisa Wagner talking with the missionaries in charge of the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center.
The choir lines up in front of the Christus statue.
The choir sings a selection of the songs including some Primary songs.
They sounded great. The missionaries wished we could stay until the evening when we could have a bigger audience.
Inside this museum where many items from U.S. History. We also had lunch here.
Deb Kinikini poses with the inauguration photo of President Obama & VP Joseph Biden.
Most of the girls considered the display of the First Ladies Inauguration gowns a highlight of this museum visit.
First Lady Campaign Buttons through the years
Christopher Columbus
A flag in metallic tiles
This is the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. You can see the patches used to keep it together.
After the Smithsonian we went to the White House.
This townhouse is the house that Presidents through the years would stay in when the White House was being repaired.
The park on this side of the White House has many statues, among them this one of Andrew Jackson.
A view of the White House
Off to the right of the White House is the Oval Office
Some pictures of the choir in front of the White House
There was a young men's choir also staying at our hotel. They joined us for breakfast. We sang for them and then they sang an african chant for us. It was really fun!
After breakfast we loaded the buses and headed for Arlington National Cemetary. We walked around the cemetary and saw many impressive sites.
The shear number of graves was a sobering sight and a reminder how grateful we should be for the freedom we enjoy.
We stopped at various points and Brian shared some of the historical facts and stories.
At the base of the hill where the John F. Kennedy grave site is there are some engravings of quotes from President Kennedy ...
... and also the eternal flame.
Some of the choir taking pictures of the eternal flame
Up the hill is President Kennedy's grave site and the flag flying at half mast in honor of all those who have given their lives for this country
Just to the left of the eternal flame is the gravesite of Robert Kennedy, marked by a small cross
Another quote from John F. Kennedy
Choir members walking through the cemetary
A group of us gather outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to listen to an explanation from Brian
We waited to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The changing of the guard occurs every 30 minutes 24 hours a day. This the military's way of honoring those who died serving their country but their remains could not be identified.
The tomb
We gathered after the ceremony to walk back to the visitor's center and our buses.
