Walking Through Our History

by Dennis · Published December 24, 2019 · Updated January 14, 2020

Cemeteries, headstones and monuments marking the passage of time have been subjects for my camera since I first borrowed my Dad’s 35mm and never returned it. To me these objects and places mark points in time that together tell a story about the surrounding community, a lonely wind blown battle field in Montana or in the case of Arlington National Cemetery, the story of a nation. Not the complete story by any means but the parts of the story that people felt were important in their lives at a particular period in time.

We all have seen photos of the famous monuments; these initially drew my attention. A place to start the tour. To save time we purchased passes for the shuttles that are timed fifteen minutes apart to provide time to step off; see a particular stone and then catch the next shuttle to move on. In theory this was a good idea. Saved steps. It also put us into contact with visitors that had a different take on what was appropriate in a National Cemetery. It took one short ride for me to want to separate from them. The two of us walking alone was the best way for us to see and feel Arlington. The slower pace provided opportunities to discover things we didn’t know to look for. The stone commemorating the 129 men lost on the USS Thresher in 1963. I remember that loss, a nuclear-powered attack submarine lost during testing. The monument for Michael John Smith; pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger was another unexpected find along with the memorial for the crew. Later on we came upon a stark reminder of a very low point in 1980; the memorial to the men who died while trying to rescue the American hostages held in Iran.

*In Grateful and loving Tribute; January 1986*

The stones marking the burial of two Medal of Honor Recipients were moving in the simplicity of the markers for men receiving the highest military award. Alan L. Eggers, Sgt WWI and Charles H Heyl, Col Indian Wars.

*Near Fort Hartsuff, NE; April 28, 1876*

There are two equestrian statues in Arlington. One erected by the citizens of New Jersey honoring Philip Kearny, Major General; American Civil War and Field Marshal Sir John Dill.

*New Jersey Honors Her Most Distinguished Soldier*

*Field Marshal Sir John Dill; 1881 – 1944*

The Monument to the Civil War Unknowns is by itself not all that impressive until you take the time to read the inscription and then think about what it represents. It is only 12-foot-wide and 6-foot-tall. The underlying tomb contains the remains of over 2,100 unidentified soldiers from one battle. All recovered within a 25-mile radius of Washington DC.

Repose The Bones of Two Thousand one Hundred and Eleven Unknown;
Civil War Unknowns Memorial; September 1866

We sat on the steps above the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched as a guard silently, but for the tapping of his boots, as he marched the 21 steps left to right; then right to left for 30 minutes. He was then relieved of his post with a solemn ceremony and then replaced with another soldier that marched the same 21 steps. This process is repeated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No exceptions. To witness this was more than special. The few people attending while we were there remained silent.

*Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God*

Just outside of Arlington is the US Marine Corps War Memorial, erected in 1954. We had been on our feet for hours before reaching this point. The weather was turning bad as we arrived, spitting rain. Only five or six others were present. Only five or six more than I wanted in my photograph. So, I waited somewhat patiently for the few to take their turn with cell phones. After a while I was rewarded with solitude to take the iconic scene. Most know this as the Imo Jima Memorial. Modeled from a photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal. With the overcast skies, the six marines raising the flag were isolated perfectly for how I felt at the time. Photographs and memorials are all about a place or point in time.