The nearest metro stop to our hotel, the Pentagon Plaza, is just one stop away from the Arlington National Cemetery. After walking our little feet off for two days, I knew that the Tourmobile http://www.tourmobile.com/ was going to be our best option for this day, and at $7.50 per person, a great deal.
The Tourmobile makes 4 cemetery stops: Arlington Cemetery Visitors Center/Women in Military Service for America Memorial, the Kennedy Gravesites, Tomb of the Unknowns (Changing of the Guard) and Arlington House/Robert E. Lee Memorial.
Over 320,000 service members, from the Civil War to the present rest on this land. It’s a beautiful spot, 624 acres, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. The land originally belonged to George Washington’s adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, and was intended to be a memorial to George Washington. Parke Custis and his wife lived in the Arlington House until their deaths in the mid-1850’s. Their only daughter, Mary Anna, inherited the house. Mary Anna was married to Robert E. Lee. In 1861, when war was imminent and Lee resigned his commission in the US Army, they left the home and land knowing it was likely lost when he became a Confederate officer.
The government confiscated the land when Mrs. Lee did not return to pay the property taxes in person as was required. It was established as a national cemetery in 1864. The Lee’s son, George Washington Custis Lee, brought a suit alleging the land had been illegally confiscated and the land was returned to him. Congress then purchased title to the property from him for the sum of $150,000.
Since then, many heroes, known and unknown, have been laid to rest on these green hills. The Memorial and Eternal Flame at the Kennedy gravesites overlooking the beautiful city of Washington DC inspire tranquility. It’s natural to be hushed and contemplative when reading quotes from President Kennedy inscribed on the granite stones. Astronauts from the Challenger and Columbia disasters are buried and/or memorialized as well as others from the space program. A portion of the mast from the USS Maine is installed on a hillside with a memorial and another section is devoted to Chief Justices and Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
Another famous area is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. Walk through the stunning, white marble Memorial Amphitheater on your way to watch the changing of the guard. The Amphitheater hosts 3 official annual memorial services every year: an Easter sunrise service, a Memorial Day service and a Veteran’s Day service. A Memorial Display Room, between the Amphitheater and the Tomb of the Unknowns displays tributes to service members bestowed by many organizations and countries. Photos are also displayed that show the processionals and pageantry surrounding the burial of each of the unknowns.

The changing of the guard is a fascinating ceremony to witness. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, rain or shine, snow, sleet or hail. The guards chosen as sentinels must meet very strict requirements and are all volunteers. It’s a great honor to qualify to guard this tomb of soldiers "Known but to God." The ceremony is very precise and meaningful. The changing of the guard occurs every half hour from April 1-Sept 30, and every hour the rest of the year.
I highly recommend using the Tourmobile. The tour is narrated and you may ride as much or as little as you want. Tour an area until YOU are ready to go, then catch the next bus.

Savings alert: Visiting the cemetery is free. However, if you drive, you do have to pay a few dollars to park. Just on the other side of Washington, D.C. stands Arlington, VA, and more importantly, Arlington National Cemetery.

Here lay men and women, of all ages and generations, who unfortunately have lost their lives in their service in the military. Many were killed during a conflict, all the way from WWI to the present. Over 300,000 people are interred at the Cemetery across their 200 acres. They have funerals almost every weekday on-site.

One of the most popular sights there is the resting place for President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jackie Kennedy Onasis, and two of their children. President Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963. He is buried with an "eternal flame" burning in his honor. This gas-powered flame never goes out. People often feel compelled to visit his gravesite partially because of his age (he was the United States' youngest President) and the manner in which he died. Also, many of our parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers and professors, remember his death and where they were when they heard that he had died. (If you doubt, just ask them. They can probably tell you every detail.)

Another of the more popular sites at the cemetery is the Tomb of the Unknowns, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There lays an unidentified soldier from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. There as a unidentified soldier from the Vietnam War. However, in 1998, his remains were exhumed and positively identified. He was reinterred near his family. The tomb of the Unknown Vietnam remains empty. Every hour, dozens of people turn out for a changing of the guard ceremony. That Tomb is under constant watch by this honor guard. The changing of the guard ceremony is a very intriguing, precise, and moving experience. There is a level of silence where you could literally hear a pin drop.

As I noted above, you can visit the cemetery for free. However, if you do drive, it does cost a nominal fee to park there. Also, like most other places, bring some good walking shoes. You will not have to go to the gym after a trip here, trust me. There is no transportation provided at the cemetery, so by foot will be your mode of transportation.

This sacred ground can move anyone to think, contemplate, reflect, cry, et al. Even if you don't know anyone there personally, you see all the white headstones and realize that many, many, many people sacrificed their lives so that we may be free today. For that, we all should be greatful, regardless of how we feel about any of the conflicts we are or were a part of.

If you have a few hours, head over the Potomac River, and take a leisurely stroll. This beautiful parcel of land needs to be witnessed by all.

This place shattered the reputation of all other cemeteries. It is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Although each cross and tombstone has a tragic story behind it, there is a history of a nation rising from war and trial, growing into a country of strength. Featuring objects such as the mast from the U.S.S Maine, the eternal flame commemorating Kennedy's life, various monuments to various presidents, and Arlington House. All of these beautiful sites evoke emotion and patriotism. The most memorable of events was the laying of the wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Looking back, it was a great choice to stop here. The site, although melancholy, was overpoweringly lovely.

There are great bus tours of Arlington, and they are only about $11 a ticket. If you don't feel like spending a long time walking around the cemetery, or simply can't walk such long lengths, this option is for you. It takes you to all of the "tourist stops" like the Tomb of the Unknown, and Changing of the Guards, and JFK's grave.

Pay homage to the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty, as well as those who served when their country (you and me) needed them most - visit Arlington. The premiere national cemetery in the USA is easily accessible via the Metro. A visitor's center has exhibits dedicated to Kennedy's interment, as well as the history of the cemetery. Should you happen to know someone resting here, there is a dedicated kiosk to provide directions and localization of a grave. You will need the full name of the deceased, plus branch of service.

Tourmobile offers a get-on/get-off service for a fee of $6 (adults). If you have already walked a great deal, it’s a good idea. Distances can be greater than you realize, since roads are winding in the cemetery. The Tourmobile stops at the Kennedy gravesite, the Amphitheater/Tomb of the Unknowns, and Arlington House, former home of General Robert E. Lee, whose plantation became the cemetery. Be sure to pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns; the inspiring changing of the guard takes place every half-hour in summer and every hour in winter. When the cemetery closes to the public at 7pm, the Honor Guard continues 24/7, 365 days a year, even in the most inclement of weathers. Stop off too at Audie Murphy's (WWII’s most decorated soldier) and Chip Burlingame's graves. Capt. Burlingame was the pilot of the jet that crashed into the Pentagon. Leave a pebble atop their stones. Pause at stones dedicated to the lost crew of the Challenger, Columbia, and failed Iranian hostage rescue team. Do not fail to see Robert F. Kennedy's simple white wooden cross a short distance from JFK, Jackie, little Patrick, and a stillborn daughter resting underneath the eternal flame.