Family Memory: Visiting Arlington Cemetery

Twelve years ago, our family drove to Washington, DC to witness a family burial in Arlington Military Cemetery.

My mother, who was living in Ottawa at the time, came along.

I recently came across her handwritten note:

July 3-9, 2007
Trip to Washington, DC
Arlington Cemetery, Byrdeen Goldsmith.

Byrdeen Goldsmith, my brother's mother-in-law, had died a few months earlier.

Now her ashes were to be buried alongside her husband's.

Her two daughters and other family members flew to Washington from Texas. It took us two days to drive from Ottawa.

It was a privilege to witness this solemn military ceremony, together with family tears as a mother and grandmother was laid to rest.

Later we wandered around Washington.

My nephew, Adam - tour book in hand - acted as our tour guide, taking us to various Smithsonian museums.

We stopped for this family photo on the steps of the Capitol.

Then ate at a restaurant famous for its "Philly Cheese-steak."

I have no photo - only memories - of standing on a bridge watching the fourth of July fireworks.

Being in Washington - for the funeral and the 4th of July - was a special experience I will probably never forget.