Click here to view a photo slideshow from Arlington National Cemetery.
On a hot, humid July Sunday morning with a clear blue sky, we arrived by car and subway. It’s always a pure delight to meet and lovingly greet MSIA friends for another Light Column Project, this day at Arlington National Cemetery, just across Memorial Bridge from Washington, DC. Veterans from every war involving the United States are interred here. Please send the Light for the highest good as you read these words and look at the photos.
High on the hill overlooking the peaceful cemetery is the former home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and it was on these grounds that Civil War casualties were buried, starting a tradition of honoring the many men and women who have contributed to the United States Armed Forces. Now called Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee house is visible from many places around Washington, and there’s a grand vista from this hill of many of the monuments in Washington, DC.
Our walk started at the base of the hill, stopping along the way to plant Light Columns. While there are many points of interest on the grounds, we chose to visit the Women’s Memorial, the gravesites of President John F. Kennedy, his family and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. We were grateful for the large, beautiful trees which provided shade and the summer breeze as we walked up the hill. As we arrived at the Tomb of the Unknowns, it was the changing of the guard. A sentinel from the Third U.S. Infantry paces before the tomb maintaining a vigil around the clock. “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God” reads the inscription on the sarcophagus of the World War I soldier entombed here in 1921. Unknown soldiers from World War II and Korea also lie in crypts nearby. It was remarkable to me that a large group of tourists held in silence as they attended this ritual of honor.
As we meandered back down the hill to depart via cars and the subway, I was filled with gratitude for being able to participate. There is a wonderful experience of expansion when we join together to do these Light Column Projects. Even in a cemetery there’s an opportunity to be of service to the living and totally alive in Spirit.
Our twist of fun was sharing a meal and then participating together in the THREE SELVES webcast class with John Morton. God Bless Us All, and thanks for sending the Light.
Participants: Alex Beau, Tim Fiocchi (photographer), Patricia Lyne, Miriam Mercado, Jan Rovecamp, Cher Stepanek, and Myrtle Sutphin. Also in attendance at the class: Chip Conley, Margrett Gary and Renee Panagos.
