It started on Friday with a free jazz concert in the National Sculpture Garden. This was not an actual Memorial Day event - they have one very Friday in the summer. But it was great kick off to the weekend. The weather was great, and we had a pitcher of sangria while we listened.
Saturday was Thomas Jefferson day for us. We took a ride to Jefferson's home, Monticello. Over the years, we have been to many historic and impressive mansions - Newport, The White House, Mount Vernon, The Hearst Mansion, etc. I have decided that Monticello Is my favorite, my dream home. It was not large for a man of Jefferson's stature. But its layout and furnishings was somehow just right. Someday when I retire I will build a home just like it.
On Sunday, we took a walk to watch Rolling Thunder. Every year, thousands of veterans who are also bikers gather at the Pentagon, and ride into Washington and drive a lap around the Mall. The ride itself takes an individual biker about 15-30 minutes. But there are so many riders, it takes hours for them to empty the parking lots. If you stand in one spot, the motorcycles just keep coming and coming. And many of them are flying flags and patriotic messages. Its really quit impressive.
We then went home and rested up for a couple hours, and took some sandwiches down to the capital and waited for the Memorial Day Concert. We got great seats, Some of the concert was tug-at-your-heart stories of wounded soldiers, or families coping with loss. It was very moving.
On Monday, Memorial Day, we went to Arlington Cemetery to see the President. To get there from our apartment, we walk right past the Marine Corp Memorial. That is very moving. Then we enter the back gate the the cemetery. It is row upon row of simple white tomb stones, all with a flag for the holiday. We took the tram from the visitor's center to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the President would perform the traditional wreath laying. It was so crowded, there was no chance we would see anything there. So we waited instead in the Amphitheater behind the Tomb. It was stand room only, but we ended up in a great spot in the shade, with a good view of the podium. While we waited, the President's Own, the Marine Corp band played. The President came in, and gave his speech as part of very nice ceremony.
We then capped it all off with a parade. Marching bands, veterans groups, active duty soldiers and flags. Lots and lots of flags.
On Tuesday I went back to work because I needed a rest.
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