Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Arlington National Cemetery Part 2: UPDATED Jan 2017

BY SKEETER
Back at Arlington National Cemetery, we get a front view of "The Tomb of the Unknowns". I was captivated by the tree lined wall leading up to the site.
Backing off a bit, we see a fountain as well. Off for the winter of course but none the less making a beautiful photo. I only wish I had the Saint move our car up a bit (duh)  I do not know how to photo shop it out of the perfect picture.
The Wall of trees were stunning and I have no idea what type trees they could be. Does anyone have any information they can share on them?

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UPDATE: JAN 10, 2017
The Saint and I visited Arlington National Cemetery once again over Christmas vacation 2016. I have solved the mystery of the Wall of Trees along the Tomb of the Unknowns.
 Just as Janet from the Queen of Seaford said, they are indeed Linden's. Here is a photo of one of the signs posted along the Walled Route!
 And there are more Lindens "Littleleaf" in the area as well.
 Facing the Tomb, the trees to the right seem to have been damaged since our last visit 4 years ago. I can only assume ice or brutal winds, age and disease are the blame. So there you have it, Wait around long enough (in this instance 4 years) and I will have your mysteries solved, In the Garden...
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Zooming in a bit we can see the monument a bit better and a rare photo as no spectators are in view. An early arrival assured this view.
Zooming in a bit closer and you see the Guard at work.
And zooming in yet a bit more, you can see the "Tomb of the Unknowns". I have a simple little camera but it has a powerful zoom, I tell ya. Click HERE to learn more about the Tomb of the Unknowns.
We continued on up the hill to the Tomb. Green Grass, the tree lined wall, water fountain and evergreens in view.
 Upon the Guards turn, you can see the pretty flowers in the planter behind him. 
We witness the Changing of the Guard and also a Wreath Laying Ceremony complete with the playing of Taps. I had to hold back the tears with this touching ceremony with so many sad emotions taking over my body.
I spotted this Holly filled with berry's which quickly turned my mood around.  
This evergreen tree caught my eye as well. It reminded me of the Christmas trees of Germany.
 Blooms were popping open reminding me of life.
We visited John F. Kennedy's plot. 
Now we head up to Arlington House also known as Lee's House. That hill must be fun to mow. 
Views of downtown Washington D.C. from above. 
The side of Arlington House shows signs of gardens.  
 I have never been there during the summer so have no idea what the gardens are like. I must return during a warmer month.
The Kitchen Gardens are lacking this time of year as to be expected.  
Signs tell us they grew Asparagus, Lettuce, Tomato, Peppers and Cucumber. Strawberry Patch and Herb Garden as well. Chickens and Guinea Hens were kept on the property also. I am assuming they have a nice veggie garden in the summer months. 
Near the house one finds a small amphitheater.
Vines are growing up each support of the arbor.  
This tells me that the vines are Wisteria. I can only imagine the blooms in the spring.  
The setting for many Memorial Services. Click HERE to learn more.  
Zooming in just below the stage, I spotted Rose's.
I found a pathway that led to some stairs so I took them to get a front view of Arlington House.  
I was overcome by a stench and soon discovered these fruit all over the place.  
I looked up to the tree above to discover a huge tree! Upon further investigation I spotted these leaves telling me that I have found a Ginkgo Tree! I have talked about the large Ginkgo tree that I grew up with in my childhood home. Click HERE to read that blog. With that posting so long ago, people mentioned the bad scent of the Ginkgo tree which I had never experienced. A male/female thing and now I can say I have experienced that nasty scent so many complained about!  Imagine me discovering this in all places, Arlington National Cemetery!  
Pink Rose and Muhly Grass.  
Once leaving the House area, one is reminded of being in the middle of a cemetery and not a garden.
I spotted this oddly shaped monument and decided to get a closer peek.  
 This one touched home as my hometown in Clarksville, TN is connected with Ft Campbell, KY.
After reading this, I see why the shape of the monument to the fallen. 
At that very moment, a Military Fly Over took place above my head. Every hair upon my arms stood straight up! I knew someone had just been laid to rest near by. This really got my attention and reminded me of all the sacrifices made for us here in the United States of America! I have never walked on such sacred grounds as ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, In the Garden...


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

25 comments:

  1. I tried to find out what kind of trees they were in the allee with no luck. I hope someone knows. Arlington house is really neat. I know nothing of the cemetery and grounds there as I've never been. My stepfather was a guard at the tomb though. He treasures those memories. Are you thinking of Gander and Fort Campbell? I think the Lockerbie bombing was a civilian airline-Pan Am 103-Libya was found to be responsible. The Gander flight came down probably due to icing and all souls on board were lost. Ft. Campbell has a large memorial dedicated to the soldiers who lives were lost (256)and who were all stationed here and commemorates the loss each year. Each time I pass the trees I think of them all. I like the memorial as it brings back many memories as I had forgotten many things. We had just left Germany a few months before the Lockerbie bombing and thought how lucky we were we were not on that flight. Sad for the lives lost though. Never smelled gingkos but I'll take your word for it. Saw the fruit once at Cheekwood but no smell-as of yet. They are pretty messy. Wonderful pictures. And on the Impala, it is forever immortalized on here!

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    1. It was a sad time in America with a terrorist bombing taking down one of its own. Tina, you really should go for a visit to Arlington as I find it the most sacred place on our soil. Ooooohhh weeeee, you would not like the scent of those rotting Ginkgo fruit. It was nasty girl...

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  2. You made me "teary" with this one! They must trim the tops of those trees because they are all exactly the same height.

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    1. Yes Christy, they do trim those trees and I must say they were perfectly trimmed. I can only imagine they use some type of Cherry Picker as they are tall...

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  3. We lived and worked in the DC area for several years and I miss the beauty and history there. That lovely holly was a treat for the eyes!

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    1. Oh Lynn, you missed out on so much girl. Everywhere the eye turns there is history staring you in the face. I have been there as a tourist many times and I see and learn something new with every visit...

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  4. What a lovely post. I can sense the atmosphere from your photos and I can imagine it was quite emotional as well. Thank you for sharing

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    1. PG, it was an emotional experience indeed...

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  5. What a somber place, you captured it very well. Wish I knew what the trees in the allee are, harder to figure it out in the winter.
    Funny about the Ginkgo fruit, what a smell!!

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    1. That scent was awful but glad to finally know it after so many talking about it so long ago... Our Ginkgo never had fruit so I was baffled when everyone mentioned this scent. Oh boy, does it smell....

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  6. Found it!!! Linden trees. http://www.nps.gov/nhl/Fall10Noms/Congressional.pdf

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    1. Yippeeeee, we may have a Allee of Linden Trees! I shall get back there with our next VA visit to see them with leaves to confirm this find.... Thanks for your research!

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  7. We had many Syracuse Univ students and a few locals lose their lives in the bombing of Pan Am 103...I did not know there was a monument there...we have one at the university

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    1. Donna, there are so many monuments throughout the cemetery. So many I could not visit them all as it would take more then an entire day. This monument is near the Arlington/Lee House...

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  8. You definitely need to go back when more things are growing, such a lot to see.

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    1. Yes, after this visit, I plan to go again during warmer weather to see more. This was the most time I have spent at Arlington and it really opened my eyes in many ways...

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  9. Thank you for taking us along to this special place. I am going to have to include it on my next visit to DC.

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  10. Thank you for sharing all these photos, Skeeter. You may remember that my daughter and I visited Arlington this summer, but we went at the end of the day and were rushing to make sure we got to see the last ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, so we missed many of the scenes you show here. But the ceremony at the Tomb and everything else we saw, including Kennedy's grave, were worth the long walk and climb. Such a beautiful, awe-inspiring place. It is a sobering reminder of all those who have sacrificed to preserve our freedom.

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  11. So glad you solved the mystery! I love lindens and planted two last summer. One is European and one is American-the honey bees love them and are sometimes known as basswood. Basswood honey is supposed to be really good. I hope to someday visit Arlington as I've never been there.

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    1. Tina, you really should go to Arlington. History and Beauty are with every turn...

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  12. Like that picture with the guard and the flowers.

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  13. What a nice post. Thank you for sharing. You did a great job with the photos.

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    1. Thank you and it only took me 4 years to update it too. Ha ha...

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