We woke up at 6 am this morning, got online and reserved tickets to the permanent exhibit at the Holocaust museum. We drove by car to Arlington Cemetery, parked there for the day, and walked the cemetery grounds. We visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier first, watched students participate in a wreath-laying, and listened as the taps played. A truly spiritual experience. We thought of our Brooklynn laying the wreath for her 8th grade trip years ago and we could see how much it meant to her. After that, we walked over to the Kennedy gravesite to view where John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are laid to rest in the presence of the Eternal Flame. The grounds are so impressive, serene, and regal.
We walked a mile which included crossing the Potomac River and arriving at the Lincoln Memorial. Loved this memorial!!! On to the Korean War memorial, past the Washington Monument, then visit 2.0 to the Holocaust Museum. They say, most visitors spend about 90 minutes in the. Holocaust exhibit; we spent a little over 2 hours, and that was rushing it. Let’s just say it’s an experience that changes you. No matter how much you know about that time period and events, no matter how many books you’ve read, this experience is deeply moving. We all felt heavy in our hearts. Some of us felt a little sick. Regardless, we are grateful to have experienced the feelings, emotions, and thought-provoking discussion that has come from it and forever touched our souls.
It was 3 pm by the time we got out and we needed to get back home to spend the last night we had with Grace, Jim, and Matt. We caught the metro from the museum back to Arlington Cemetery and skated out of DC pretty quickly. At home, Grace made homemade Sloppy Joes that were to die for. Grace is also quite the painter and Brooklynn enjoyed taking a lesson. We took photos, and are ever so grateful for our time here and the hospitality that was shown to us. One week with the Winters family has made up for more than 48 years of separation. We can’t wait to be together again someday soon.
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