| Thursday, 4 July 2002: The 4th of July in Washington D.C. |
| So by now I think everyone knows that I am home on Medevac, and currently I'm spending my time in Washington D.C. Although I haven't gotten to spend much time doing the touristy thing here, I did a little of it today. In the morning I went over to Arlington Cemetary and walked around for a few hours by myself. I visited many famous gravesites for JFK, RFK and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a really moving experience, and if it hadn't been so hot, I probably would have spent a lot more time there. After that I headed down to the Mall, which would have been a good idea if everyone else wasn't thinking the same thing! I swear I was lost in a crowd of 5 million people!!! Okay, maybe not that many, but a bunch. I made it through the security checkpoints, and then walked down to the Vietnam Memorial. I have never been there before, and it was one of the most moving experiences ever. I thought I would be fine and not cry, I mean, I didn't live during that era, and I don't know anyone that was killed. But when I saw a small, hand-drawn picture of the American Flag with the words, "God loves you" and "Thank you", written on it, being placed by a boy about 3 years old, I lost it. I couldn't stop crying. I saw the baseball cap left, and the letters and pictures placed so lovingly by family and friends who have not forgotten. Okay, enough sap. It was definately moving. I spent the rest of the day walking around the Mall, and back at the hotel lounging by the pool. I saw the fireworks at night, and they were incredible. Maybe I had forgotten how inventive they are, and how much they can do, but I was amazed by the smiley-faces, the peace signs and the stars being shot off in the distance above the glow of the Lincoln Memorial. It was a pretty cool experience. -Sarah |