Monday, December 17, 2012

Arlington - our nation's cemetary

It seemed like "finally" what this trip is all about was here. We were up quite early in the morning, quick breakfast and onto the metro. Folks that we were traveling with, said that the cemetery would be very busy and it would be best to get there early  . Nice thing about the metro, is we were just three stops from Arlington, so it was a very easy ride in.
Do we look like old pros riding this thing. Even little Rylie got right into the grove and knew just how to behave....(note, doing a nice "under" my legs and the  seat)











Rick got Moxie quickly settled in and we were off. The train had a number of folks on it, but as we were entering Arlington, the traffic out along the highway was "amazing". I am so glad we could take the metro and not have to fuss with all that traffic.




We were, by no means, the first folks there. They said they were expecting about 20,000 volunteers... I couldn't even imagine what 20,000 people in one place would "look like". People were in happy spirits and the weather was just beautiful....
Some of the trucks were already in place.  There was also a "formal" procession that came into Arlington, but I think because there are so many trucks, it is easier not to have them all arriving at the same time.
 Opening ceremonies were   held in the amphitheatre near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Because we had some time, our first stop was there. Such an impressive sight to see, and even though there had to be a few hundred people... you could hear a pin drop and the steps of the guard.
We found a seat, sat and chatted with the folks around us, and took it all in.












The people around us were very interested in the puppies. They asked all sorts of questions and enjoyed schmoozing with them. You can be certain that the dogs enjoyed all the attention.
I am pleased that we listened to advise and got there on the early side. It didn't take long for the place to fill up and there was standing room only. I found out later that really just a small percent of the volunteers went to the opening ceremonies.. many folks (who have probably done this for years) picked a section and just stayed with the truck until it was time to lay the wreaths.
And here are the folks who started it all...such wonderful, humble people. They presented the one millionth wreath (since the project has begun) to a gold star Mother to lay on her son's grave. As he handed the wreath off he said "I don't know what all the fuss is about, I am just a wreath maker from Maine... the real heros are here".... (one of many times I shed tears that day!!!)
After a few short speeches and the like, it was time to lay the wreaths. The trucks were opened, people stood in line to take a wreath or two, and off they went.











It is very well organized. Trucks park in certain sections and knowing how many grave are in each one, they have that many wreaths on board. Two things were asked of the volunteers... please place the wreath in the section that you got it from... and please do not put wreaths on the graves of Jewish soldiers - as it is not their tradition. We were also asked, not just "drop the wreath and hurry off".. but to take a few moments and "visit" there, and not to pass by the Jewish grave site, but to stop a moment and say thank you as well.

My Mom and Dad told us that one of the police officers from our old home town was also making the trip. Ed and I thought that we would try and find him, but when I saw the crowd I had my doubts. However, we did spot him and so we all laid wreaths together. As it turned out Rick also knew Tom, so we had a good time being together.
This was the grave that I chose to lay my wreath at. Anna Warren, the wife of a Lt. Col.... she passed in 1934......










Rylie and I stopped and paid our respects.....

Ed's grave site was a man not too far away from mine... Frank H. Neatherland.. a World War II veteran....












 here are the menfolk ... Ed with Rylie, Officer Tom, Rick and Moxie.....
Now there is another story that goes along with this trip. One day before we left, I was browsing the Wreaths Across America webiste, I saw a posting from a young gal who was asking if anyone going to Arlington, would they be willing to "find" her Dad (he was buried there last summer.) Since she was not able to go and see the wreaths being laid, she wanted a picture of it all. I wrote her, and we became "friends"... and she even sent some "trinkets" for us to leave at the grave site. Here's the photo of her Dad's resting spot.
And one with Moxie and Rylie paying their respects...











This year, there were enough wreaths for "everyone" (over 150,000!!!)... even a row that did not have their stones yet, had wreaths placed. Arlington is an active cemetery, so burials are happening all the time.
Even the extremely "new" sites had wreaths placed on them.












The thing that I found "difficult" (if I can use the word) is how my emotions went back and forth between excitement, proud of the puppies, happy, sad... it just really depended on each moment. One of the fun moments was when we met up with the Cheerleaders of the Washington Redskins, who were there to volunteer. These pretty gals fell in love with Rylie and Moxie and just had to have their pictures taken with them.

And then, moments later, a young gal who was about to lay her wreath at the grave site of a family member came over and asked if she could just hug one of the puppies. She sat for quite a while, quietly hugging Rylie, and then stood up, said "thank you" and went off ......
A flag on a car..... a "gold star Mother".....
And another gold star Mother... who, as it turned out, is currently sponsoring a NEADS puppy by the name of Radar. (named after her son's "call name"). We promised that we would look Radar up when we returned home.








And this gold star Mother spent the longest time with Moxie. There was no doubt in my mind that the dogs brought a real comfort and peace to many of the folks there that day. And though I have seen this happen many times, it's still kind of "magical" to me...
And all too often, you just would glance sideways, and see this........












And moments like this, you were quickly reminded of what Arlington is. For many families there, this will be the first Christmas without their loved ones.....
As we were on our way out, this gentleman stopped to talk with us. Moxie took an instant liking to him.. and he gave her a big hug and said... "do you know that one day... you will save someone's life"....one of those moments that just send chills down your spine.
no one was "forgotten"... wreaths left at the Tomb of the Unknown
And at the grave site of the Kennedy's.....













And my mood returned somber again, when we saw the flag at half staff... in remembrance of the school shooting yesterday in Newtown CT...... where, as we all know, 20 children and 6 adults were killed....
The guard keeps careful watch over it all... and as we leave ---- in it's quiet... in it's memories and in it's honor.....











Thank you to all who have served.. are serving and to those who gave the ultimate gift... they're own lives......







 

 

a day in DC

Our day began at 4:30 am, when we left the farm and headed down to meet up with Kelli and Rick. The drive south went very well, the weather was great, and we hit little traffic. For the most part, it was a straight ride threw, though we did get a little turned around as we entered Washington, but the GSP got us there (in a round about fashion). It was dark by the time we found the hotel, we were tired, so we ate at the hotel  restaurant, walked the dogs and   settled into our rooms. As you can see, these rooms were extremely nice.. the whole hotel was,  and the dogs needed to be on their very best behavior. This is not a "pet friendly" hotel, but because the puppies are "service dogs".. they were welcomed. I was a bit worried about the "lack of grass" for Rylie, and it took a bit of walking up and down the street before she got the idea that she needed to "go"... but once she understood, the "rest" went well.
In the morning, we got to see where we really were. Do you know that building??? It's the Pentagon!!! Right there at the end of the street... this began to put things into prospective...
Our room was on the sixth floor (out of 16)...so we had some pretty nice views. I am glad that we weren't any higher.. the walk outside for Rylie was "long enough":.... I can't imagine living like this all the time, especially with a puppy. But I met up with other dog walkers, so there are doggies that do live like this!!!!
We pretty much decided that we wouldn't try to drive around the city, and needed to figure out the metro. It turned out to be quite easy-- except for one thing... escalators!!! Our dogs are not allowed to ride on them.. so it was either try and find the elevators, or.. carry them. We opted the with the "carry" idea. June wasn't able to pick Vicki up..  Ed carried her down on this ride...
I looked down and saw this photo of Rylie... I thought it was kind of funny, because my first time on the metro.. I sort of felt like this...
Rylie was just a little worried on our first trip..   I had to act brave for her. I actually enjoyed the ride, and was   impressed at how clean and quiet it was. People on the "train" were quite impressed with the dogs.. and by the end of the weekend, I am sure we'll all be old pros with it.
Escalators.... we're going to just have to deal, but it's obvious.. they'll be everywhere!!!!
Rick isn't much of traveler.. and a true country boy. He was very happy to find a tree and a quick hug made him feel much better about this city thing!!!!!
We arrived on the "mall"... the day was so pretty.. almost 60 degrees (on a December day).. and our first stop was the Vietnam memorial.
It was very quiet there, and we could hear the calling of a bird. Over head sitting up in a tree was this beautiful hawk. I felt like "he" kept a careful watch over this place... almost a spiritual presence.....
We took some photos of the three service puppies together.. Rylie, Vicki and Moxie. This trip seems to have so many parts to it for me... course being there for the Wreaths Across America.. but also the opportunity to visit our nation's capital.. and of course the amazing training opportunities for the dogs...I felt a bit overwhelmed.
I was actually surprised at the number of people that were here. A Friday morning in December... but I suppose Washington is visited all the time by all sorts of folks....









Again, this is not a place where dogs are normally welcomed. But the dogs had their "service" privileges. I was so pleased at how well behaved they all were, and I was also pleased at the way people re-acted to them. Lots of smiles, and often people would ask if they could say hello to them... it was really a wonderful thing.
I took so many photos, that it's hard to choose them for this blog. Once in a while I captured just what I had hoped....
We looked up the name of a young man who was from our old home town. "Larry A. D'Entremont"... we know his family well... and though I never knew Larry... it was an honor to "locate" him and remember him and the others who gave their lives for our country.
Here we are.. together in Washington....

And our little group on the stairs of the Lincoln memorial... June with Vicki, Kelli, Rick, Moxie and Ed... (I of course, was taking the picture!!)
June and Vicki.. which, I don't know if I mentioned, but this is a very special trip for this team. Vicki will be returned to NEADS  next week we get home. So, for June, this is sort of the last "hurray" after a year of work raising this beautiful dog...
Lincoln Memorial. I have seen it before, but you forget how big it is.... quite a sight to see for sure.
Little Rylie hiked right up all those stairs, and worked perfectly beside me. Nice pose of her at the top of the stairs with the reflecting pool in the back ground.










Rick with Moxie and myself with Rylie....
We then ventured over to the Korean memorial. It's hard to say which one would be my favorite. They are all so different and so wonderful in their own way.
I did find this one a little 'creepy" which I don't mean in a bad way.. but it was so life like, you almost expected the men to take a step towards you. Certainly, much thought and respect has gone into making each memorial...
This is the World War II memorial.... it's a very pretty spot and the water has a very calm effect....
We found the pillar for our state..... Ed and Kelli pose with the pups here...
and then this young man wanted to get a photo with the pups. He was quite interested in their work....


From the mall we went onto one of the Smithsonian's... and toured threw there. We really needed another few days in this beautiful city to see it all, but we did as much as we could in this one day. Tons of walking and enjoying the sights and sound....
Just before dark, we got back on the metro with some very tired dogs. A quick stop at the motel, and then we all went out for dinner. I think the dogs were just happy to sleep under the table while we all talked and re-capped the day. We have another exciting day tomorrow in Arlington.. but what a pleasure and privilege to see our Capital....