Proud to be an American

I've always been proud be an American, to live in the country we do, with the freedoms we enjoy.  There are many people in many countries that don't enjoy the same rights and liberties that we do. 

We spent today in Washington DC.  Our great nation's capitol.  A place that some Americans may never get to visit in their lifetime.  And we're lucky enough to live within driving distance of it.  This is the second time I've been to Washington DC.  The first time I was 11, and certainly did not appreciate what I was seeing and where I was.  I did get to tour the White House (something you can't do today).  Got to meet one of our state congressman in person.  Saw a lot of stuff about America's history, and sadly couldn't tell you some of it because I didn't pay that much attention then.  We mostly saw Memorials today. 

Here are the places we went:


Arlington National Cemetery: The Eternal Flame and John F. Kennedy's grave

Arlington National Cemetery: Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers - Changing of the Guards

Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool:

Lincoln Memorial:

World War II Memorial:

Korean War Memorial:

I just realized, I did not take a picture of the Vietnam Wall Memorial.  It is quite an impressive memorial to look at.  Walking around Arlington National Cemetery, and all the different war memorials has confirmed to me how thankful I am for all those that have served their country, OUR country, fighting to protect the freedoms that we enjoy each and every day.

My father served his country.  He was in the Navy, for three years.  He proudly served his country for those years.  During one of his years, he was stationed way out on one of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska (I'm not sure which one).  His job was translating the Russian's Morse Code messages into words.  It was obviously in Russian, and there was another gentlemen (or more, not sure) that translated the Russian into English.  He recently told me some stories from that year spent in Alaska.  On their days off, him and the guys he was stationed with used to go sledding on the island.  This was all years before I was born, but I'm glad he told me about it.  My father passed away this past year.  I purchased a tie-tack type of pin today, and am planning on bringing it home and burying it in the ground in front of his headstone. 

On a much happier note, lol, the cake show is tomorrow and Sunday.  We are getting up in about 5hrs to get ready to go.  There will be pictures tomorrow night from the show!



Are you proud to be a citizen of your country?