As far as my eyes could see were rows and rows of resting heroes beneath the grassy ground. Many thoughts were racing through my mind as I took in the view. All those men and women died for what we have now…. Freedom. I listened to the trees, as the wind blew across what seemed to be the biggest graveyard ever. This moment will forever be engraved in my memory. The way the people acted and cared for this place made the Arlington National Cemetery the most moving place we have been on the Freedom Tour.

-Bryanna

 
Today was a very interesting day seeing Arlington National Cemetery. Seeing John F. Kennedy’s grave was so exciting because there was a flame that never goes out and that was very cool. Once we took off from the cemetery we took stopped at the Post Office and inside there was a huge mall. We definitely checked that out and on top of the building was a beautiful site you could see the whole city. Once we showed up at the natural history museum I got so excited because I’ve always wanted to go there and it was so fun seeing all the different types of animals. So the day was almost over and we were on our way to the hotel and we took a stop at the Hometown Buffet and that definitely finished my day off once I ate almost every food possible so overall it was a great day for me.

Dylan

Today we traveled to Arlington National Cemetery. Knowing that my Grandfather will be buried here one day, it was very interesting to see this amazing cemetery. So many people have loved ones here and someday I will as well. To see the changing of the guard really meant how much this country cares about respecting the fallen. As I watched the changing of the guards I was very impressed on the precision of the guards and how proud they were to be guarding The Tomb of the Unknowns. They have to be between 5 foot 10 and 6 foot 4, whether you’re a man or a woman. These strict policies prove how much the United States cares about their citizens. Every single gravestone shows how proud those people were to fight for the country and for the ones that they loved. The Arlington National Cemetery was truly one of the greatest cemeteries in the world, and it serves as a resting place for some of the greatest people who had ever lived.

--Ethan

Today was fun and yet exhausting. We went to three really cool places today. The first thing we saw was the national cemetery. In the national cemetery two things stuck out. One thing was the graves, they went on forever and they were in perfect alignment. The other thing was the rocks on the graves. I heard earlier during the trip that the rocks were there to tell people that people still miss this person. The second place we went to was the Smithsonian museums. I went to the natural history museum and there were so many things in there. I saw rocks, bugs, prehistoric animals, modern animals and everything in between. I was also able to get a stuffed tiger which was one of the only things I wanted this trip. And the last place we went to was this really good restaurant. It was a giant buffet, and it was good food. Now we are all in the hotel and we are exhausted but it was a fun day.

Catherine

 
Today, after we visited Arlington National Cemetery and saw the changing of the guard, we had free time to visit whichever Smithsonian Museum we wanted. My group went to the Museum of American History and the Museum of Natural History. At American History we saw dresses the First Ladies wore to their husbands’ inaugurations (ranging from Martha Washington’s dress to Michelle Obama’s). We also saw Julia Child’s replica kitchen, with the really high countertops. At Natural History we saw Egyptian mummies, the Hope Diamond and the Hall of Human Origins. I wish we could have had more time at the museums to look at more stuff but we had to drive to New Jersey. I’m happy and sad about going home tomorrow. I had such a good time on this trip that I don’t want it to end, but I’m also looking forward to getting home and sleeping in my own bed in my own house. Look for us tomorrow on the Today Show around 8 in the morning, we’ll be wearing our blue coats.

--Shira