Marquette, MI – September 22, 2016 – After getting back at around 9:30 PM from the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. I had some time to reflect on the trip. I enjoyed getting to see D.C. and the all veterans during the trip. The men and women we took with us were excited to be there and pay respect to their fallen comrades.
The Washington Memorial and reflection pool from the Lincoln Memorial
We started out at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Our tour guide did a great job telling us information about each location and we paused to take a much needed group picture! The design of the WW II Memorial was absolutely astonishing with gorgeous stone work and a number of large fountains. Following this to work a trip over to the Washington Memorial that stands over 550 feet high! It was something else witnessing this massive memorial reflected in the clam pool below!
Moving along the Reflection Pool we made our way to the Lincoln Memorial honoring our 16th president. Looking back across the pool you can see Washington Monument in front of downtown Washington D.C.
Up next we stopped at one of my favorite memories from the trip, Arlington Cemetery. Having making our way through the Arlington Cemterey Amphitheater, we got to witness the Changing of the Guards. It was a powerful ceremony and made being in Washington D.C. all the more special!
The description attached to the Pentagon Memorial
Following Arlington we went to our last stop, the Pentagon Memorial. This memorial was truly something else! Each person that died in the attack on the Pentagon is honored by name, at this memorial. Each person has a bench with running water under it and their name at the front. There is a border around the memorial with our the birth year of every person who passed after the attack. 184 names in total are honored here.
After the flight back to Delta County, we were all taken a-back by the number of community members that came to welcome us back. There was even a band playing music in the hanger when we got off of the plane! Honor Credit Union really did an amazing thing setting up this trip as well as all of our community members that donating to make this trip happen!
Loading on to the Bus in Washington D.C.
Part of the Word War II Memorial
Two veterans with Senator Bob Dole in the center!
World War II Memorial in D.C.
All of the veterans and guardians at the WWII memorial
The Washington Memorial
Lincoln Memorial in the distance
Veterans listening to our tour guide at the memorial.
A number of the guardians enjoying their team at the memorial.
All of the Veterans at the WWII Memorial
Michgan!
One of the entrances to the memorial
The outside of the WWII memorial.
The Washington Memorial from the WWII Memorial
The statue of Lincoln in D.C.
Reflection pool between WW II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial
The fountains between the WWII memorial and the Lincoln Memorial
Part of the WW II Memorial
The Washington Memorial and reflection pool from the Lincoln Memorial
arlington cemetery amphitheater
The Arlington Cemetery Amphitheater
The Entrance to the Arlington cemetery amphitheater
Arlington Cemetery
Changing of the Guard
Many people came to see the changing of the guards, not just us!
The Changing of Guards at the Amphitheater
One of the veterans during the changing of guards
Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Some of the headstones at Arlington Cemetery.
One of the memorials inside the Arlington Cemetery.
One of the memorials inside the Arlington Cemetery.
More from Arlington Cemetery.
The view above Arlington Cemetery.
The bottom of the Air Force Memorial where the hotel taken out during the attack on the Pentagon used to stand.
The top of the Air Force Memorial
Veterans and Guardians checking out the Air Force Memorial
A veteran getting his picture taken at one of the many memorials we visited.
The view of downtown Washington D.C.
The skyline from the memorial
We got to see much of the Pentagon while on our visit.
The Pentagon in Washington D.C.
Veterans moving through the memorial
Memorial for all the people killed at the Penta
Pentagon Memorial w/ bench and running water
Part of the Pentagon
The spikes from the Pentagon Memorial can be seen across the area.
Oldest person that died during the attack on the pentagon is represented here.
The benches at the Pentagon Memorial
Each bench has a name on of someone who died at the pentagon
The youngest person to die at the Pentagon was born in 1998
The description attached to the Pentagon Memorial
the Pentagon Memorial
At the hanger after getting back from Washington D.C.
Many Community members where there to welcome us back.
Everyone was very thankful for the service our vets had completed.
There was even a band playing music to welcome us home.
One of the veterans after returning home from D.C.
One of the many signs community members brought to the hanger
