Washington, DC25 April 2015Today, Michelle and I had the unbelievable privilege of tagging along an "Honor Flight". This is a charity that brings World War 2 veterans to Washington, DC to visit the World War 2 Memorial. Today's flight included over 75 veterans and well over a hundred volunteers, including a "guardian" to personally escort each veteran. They had four busses and a police escort to take them around DC. | ||||
We met the flight at BWI airport Full picture [100 KB] | ||||
They were escorted by an Honor Guard Full picture [61 KB] |
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Grandma came out toward the end. Full picture [74 KB] |
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She had no idea we were waiting for her. Full picture [47 KB] | ||||
She even called us to tell us she was in Baltimore. We wished her a good time. Full picture [42 KB] |
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The Honor Guard saluted the busses as we left the airport. Full picture [104 KB] | ||||
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First, we drove to Arlington. The three spires are the United States Air Force Memorial. The building in front is the Pentagon. Full picture [56 KB] | ||||
A view of the Washington Monument from Arlington Full picture [50 KB] |
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The entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Full picture [57 KB] | ||||
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The Women in Military Memorial Full picture [59 KB] |
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (back) Full picture [91 KB] | ||||
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (front) Full picture [133 KB] |
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Pictures of the Changing of the Guard Full picture [69 KB] | ||||
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Grandma with her Guardian Bert Full picture [83 KB] | ||||
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The guy in the orange shirt is a Miama news reporter who interviewed Grandma Full picture [153 KB] | ||||
Russell and Cirse finally arrived. Full picture [82 KB] |
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Etaline Ackerman, age 17, Pharmacists's Mate First Class, 1942 Full picture [93 KB] | ||||
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The Iwo Jima / U. S. Marine Corps Memorial Full picture [56 KB] | ||||
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All of the Veterans and their Guardians lined up for a picture in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial. Full picture [97 KB] |
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Grandma is in the front left, two to the right of the guy in the white jacket. Full picture [81 KB] | ||||
After lunch, we drove back to the Washington Mall, past the back of the Lincoln Memorial Full picture [48 KB] |
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The WW2 Memorial has two arches, for the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. Full picture [115 KB] |
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WW2 "Victory Medallion" Full picture [126 KB] |
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1941-1945 Full picture [115 KB] | ||||
Victory at Sea Full picture [128 KB] |
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Victory on Land Full picture [114 KB] | ||||
Victory in the Air Full picture [113 KB] |
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There are 56 of these pillars, one for each state and territory Full picture [93 KB] | ||||
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Grandma wanted her picture in front of the New York pillar. Full picture [95 KB] | ||||
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There is a big pond/fountain in the middle, Full picture [119 KB] | ||||
with the Washington Monument in the background. Full picture [63 KB] |
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Waterfall Full picture [81 KB] | ||||
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Inscription, not in the picture -- "Here We Mark the Price of Freedom" Full picture [157 KB] | ||||
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The visit wouldn't be complete without Kilroy. Full picture [87 KB] | ||||
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The Reflecting Pool and, at the far end, The Lincoln Memorial. Full picture [66 KB] | ||||
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Out of over 75 Veteras, only about a half dozen were women. Full picture [200 KB] | ||||
Throughout the visit to the WW2 Memorial, many many many people asked to take pictures with the visiting Veterans... Full picture [111 KB] |
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...or to just shake their hands and thank them. Full picture [94 KB] | ||||
I have no idea who these people are. But they wanted pictures with the Veterans. Full picture [94 KB] |
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