Today’s post is 1900 words, 49 photos, one video, and a 10-minute read. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the views and comments on Part 1 of this two-part series. If you missed Part 1, click here. In Part 2, I take you to more of the memorials we saw in Washington, DC, the flight back to Madison, and the Welcome Home parade upon arrival.
Arlington National Cemetery
It was a pleasant sunny Saturday in Washington, DC, with temperatures in the low 70s. Perfect weather. This brought out the crowds. I was happy to see visitors of all types, especially families taking their kids to see the many monuments and memorials in our nation’s capital.
The next stop on our tour was Arlington National Cemetery, where we would observe the changing of the guard. Arlington is the largest cemetery in the national cemetery system, with over 400,000 people buried on the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The first burials were made in 1864 during height of the Civil War.
We had a little time, so we checked out a couple of nearby monuments. The first one was a tribute to the seven astronauts who perished in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986. I remember it well. I was at a meeting at a hotel in downtown Chicago. When we broke for lunch, all eyes were glued to the televisions as we watched the recovery attempts. There were no survivors. 
The second memorial honors the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who died during the attempt to rescue hostages held in Iran in April 1980. Due to equipment failures and poor weather, the mission was aborted, ending in an aircraft collision that killed eight service members. I remember this incident too. It likely affected the outcome of the 1980 Presidential Election. Ronald Reagan painted President Carter as an ineffective leader and weak on military preparedness. It was on inauguration day, January 20, 1981, when the hostages were finally released through diplomatic negotiations. 
The next two photos are of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, which hosts Memorial Day and Veterans Day events as well as other activities. It seats 5000 people. 
The Changing of the Guard
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which overlooks Washington, DC, the changing of the guard is one of the most attended events at Arlington. The Tomb was dedicated in 1932 and has been perpetually guarded since 1937. The guard is changed every half hour in the summer months, every hour in the winter, and every two hours at night when the cemetery is closed to the public. The changing of the guard takes nearly 15 minutes and is very precise in its movements. 
The relief commander makes a white-gloved inspection of the oncoming sentinels’ M-4 weapon. After passing inspection, the new sentinel takes over the watch by taking 21 steps in 21 seconds, turns, and takes 21 steps. The 21 steps replicate the highest military honor, the 21-gun salute. The audience was totally silent, no talking or ringing phones, during the changing of the guard. It was inspiring to see again.
The Lincoln Memorial
Our stop took us to the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials. We walked by the Lincoln Memorial and snapped this photo. We had limited time at this stop, with lots to see and steps to take. I also snapped a photo of the disgusting-looking Reflecting Pool. It’s no improvement, and now I read it’s full of algae. I guess they didn’t fix the problem before slopping on an ugly coat of paint. Enough said.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
All the veterans on Mission 66 of the Badger Honor Flight served during the Vietnam Era. Most of us headed to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor those who gave their lives during this conflict. Every time I’ve been in Washington, I’ve stopped at the Vietnam Memorial, also known as “The Wall.”
Everything about it is so symbolic, from its shape, which points one side to the Washington Monument and the other to the Lincoln Memorial. Then, walking down into the earth symbolizes a wound healing and closing. Finally, the polished granite reflects visitors’ faces, bearing the 58,318 etched names of the dead, connecting the two. I take a deep breath before entering, recognizing these are men and women from my generation who gave their lives for their country. It could have been me, but it was they who did it for me and all Americans. A very humbling experience. 
The trail of artifacts is interesting. I wonder about the story of these running shoes.
I found the name of Gilbert R. Bargmann. He was born the same year as me and went to the same high school for a couple of years. Gilbert was drafted into the Army in 1968 and trained as a light-weapons infantryman. He arrived in Vietnam in February 1969 and was killed in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam, by small arms fire on June 19, 1969, a month short of his 20th birthday.
There was a group of volunteers helping the many visiting veterans do name rubbings of people they knew or had served with. One of those volunteers did a rubbing for me.
As we walked along the wall, I noticed this fellow touching the names on the wall. He was still for a long time just staring at the names. I assume he had a connection to one or more of the names. After a bit, he turned away from the wall, trying not to show emotion in public. It was a touching moment.
This veteran was one of hundreds of veterans from around the country on the May 30 Honor Flights. There were men and women from Milwaukee, Houston, Dayton, Ohio, Maine, New England, and others. I talked with some vets from Maine who were looking for someone they knew on the Wall. 
We stopped at the Three Servicemen statue, which depicts the things they carried while scouting the jungles of Vietnam. 
When we visited the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, there were several women nearby, one in a wheelchair who served in Vietnam. This memorial is a tribute to the 265,000 women veterans who served during the Vietnam Era, many of whom were nurses. Note the hair ties left by visitors as a symbol of solidarity and remembrance. Sadly, it took years before the women who served in Vietnam were recognized by the government. The names of eight women are engraved in the Wall.
Nearby were memorial wreaths left by organizations.
I was struck by this memorial placed by the Scottish American Military Society, which uses the flag of Scotland and the Kohima Epitaph that has a deep connection to Scottish military history. The 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots lost 90 men during the Battle of Kohima in 1944. This battle took place in Northeast India and marked the turning point of the Japanese offensive into British India. The Kohima Epitaph was written by an English poet after World War I, based on a Greek poem honoring Spartans who fell in battle in 480 BC. The things a person learns by chance.
World War II Memorial
The next stop on our tour of memorials was the World War II Memorial. This memorial is a tribute to the 16 million Americans who served in the military and the more than 400,000 who gave their lives during the war. It’s located on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. There are 56 granite pillars representing the U.S. states and territories surrounding the large plaza with fountains and two arches symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific theaters in the war. The Freedom Wall with 4048 gold stars, each representing 100 lives lost. It’s a peaceful place, unlike the conditions our soldiers and sailors faced in battle.
Our buses were met by a couple holding this sign. It was nice to be recognized for our service to the country.
My guardian and I had our photo taken at the North Dakota pillar at the memorial. I entered the service from North Dakota.
We had our photo taken at the Wisconsin pillar, too.
Wayne and his guardian/son, Bryan, also had their photos taken at the Wisconsin pillar.
We took a photo of someone with the Washington Monument in the background. Then they took a photo of us. 
This plaque was near where we boarded the bus. Senator Dole was a driving force behind the creation of the WWII memorial. He would often stand near this spot and greet veterans. A fitting tribute to a man of courage and a lifelong commitment to helping veterans.
United States Air Force Memorial
The three steel spires at our next stop soar into the “wild blue yonder” and honor the service of the men and women in the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Air Force Memorial is the last memorial to be erected in the nation’s capital. It’s adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery and overlooks the Pentagon.
This is a photo of Radar, the official comfort dog of our Honor Flight.
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
The Pentagon Memorial honors the 184 people whose lives were lost at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001. The memorial features 184 benches, each engraved with the victim’s name and arranged by age, from the youngest, 3 years old, to the oldest, 71 years old. The orientation of each bench tells whether the individual was aboard the aircraft or inside the Pentagon. The landscaped gardens offer a peaceful place to remember, reflect, and give gratitude for those whose lives were forever changed on that tragic day. I hadn’t been there before and found it to be a well-done memorial for a very recent event in our lives.
Someone didn’t forget.
After leaving the Pentagon Memorial, the buses dropped us off at the airport for the ride back to Madison. There was more to come, perhaps the best part.
Two old farm boys were waiting patiently to board the plane.
Mail Call
As we boarded the plane, we were handed a box lunch. After eating, I closed my eyes for a bit. It had been a long, exciting day. That is, until Mail Call was announced. I didn’t know what to expect, but when two large envelopes were handed to me, I was nonplussed. Here’s why.
In the military, Mail Call was eagerly anticipated when letters and packages were distributed to the troops. Hearing your name, “Private Miller,” brought joy and excitement. Letters, photos, or a care package lifted spirits and reminded us that we were remembered and appreciated. My guardian snapped a few photos as I opened the cards and read the letters from family and friends. I cherish each and every one. Thank you!
Welcome Home
When we landed in Madison, another unexpected event occurred: the Welcome Home parade. After deplaning and exiting the terminal’s secure area, each veteran was greeted by the Deputy Adjutant General of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
Then each veteran was escorted down the escalator by two members of the Air National Guard.
There was a band and hundreds of people cheering and calling out, “Welcome Home!” This happened for every veteran who was on the Honor Flight. It was awesome. Here are few photos provided by family and friends.
After the parade, I met up with my Traveling Partner and, along with my guardian, we headed for home.
It was a great day. I left some old baggage behind as I left the airport terminal. Read more when my book is published this fall.
A special thanks to everyone who had anything to do with making this a life-changing experience. I appreciate the photos from Melissa, Melanie, Donna, Val, Linda, and Gabor. I’m humbled by your kindness.
Next up, around Madison.
Until next week, happy travels!
Tom
PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all who have plunked down your hard-earned dollars and read the book. TM