The Land of Shenandoah

It’s September and we find ourselves in Virginia, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains in the fabled Shenandoah Valley. The weather is still hot as though it could be another one of those dog days of summer. But there is already a hint of fall colors in the leaves. Not much but it’s there none the less. Impressing on us the reality that we have no time to waste, we have to keep pushing on.

Shenandoah National Park – Breathtaking is the word that comes to mind. Gazing across the horizon from the peaks of Shenandoah National Park it’s hard to believe we are just 75 miles from the bustle of our nation’s capital, Washington DC. Skyline Drive takes us along the crest of the mountains through the woods and past spectacular vistas. Remember when driving was fun and relaxing? No? Well, a slow meander down Skyline Drive gives you a whole new driving experience. The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north to south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park.

Arlington National Cemetery - For the almost 4 million people who visit Arlington national Cemetery represents many differnt things. To me it reminds me of Honor, Valor and Loss. We spent the afternoon walking through the cemetery. JFK’s grave with Jacquelyn beside him was sobering. Bobby Kennedy’s grave is nearby, on a hill all by itself. It seems so sad, so alone. We continued on to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. Later remains of unknowns from World War II , the Korean war and Vietnam war were put to rest here. Note: (The remains of the Vietnam Unknown were exhumed May 14, 1998. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, DoD scientists identified the remains as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972. It has been decided that the crypt that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain vacant.) I guess the Vietnam War will continue to baffle us.

Road Revelation #13 – Never forget the past. It is a sobering experience to walk through the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. To me it reminds me of my younger days being drafted to serve the country and how luck (or was it’s God’s grace) provided me with the opportunity to not be sent to Vietnam but instead to stay out of harm’s way. No, we must never forget the sacrifices of these brave souls, we must not forget the past but learn from it.