We are so thankful to have a 24/7 car pass that allows us to visit Arlington National Cemetery any day of the year, around the clock. We received this several years ago when my wonderful, loving cousin Jean was interred there, and, as a family member, we attended the service. Her husband, George, is a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack and a career Navy veteran, so they are interred together.
This forever pass is something I treasure. As we drove through the gates of Arlington, the guard saluted the pass, and I instantly felt a sense of calm and reverence. On our visit, it was a perfect spring day, with beautiful buds opening on trees everywhere.
We walked around Jean and George’s headstone, reading other inscriptions and awards for others interred there. The experience is like reading a roll call of the most amazing people you’ve never met. The headstones are small reminders of the actions of people who gave their all in the service of our country; in many, many instances, people not even old enough to vote are in the company of 4 and 5-star leaders.
I look forward to another visit with my cousin and to paying tribute to the thousands of others sharing her hallowed ground.
Are we there yet? 