Honor, Remember, Explore

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Blessed we were on this beautiful day to visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial, the National Archives, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the World War II Memorial, the White House, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.

"Honor, Remember, Explore" is ANC's signature motto to remind us of our purpose while visiting in person or via other media resources. The cemetery is the final resting place for over 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families. As we walked the acres and acres of markers, visited the Kennedy gravesites and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and watched the Changing of the Guard, we were reminded of service, sacrifice, and valor - of how we honor with dignity those who defended and protected our freedoms. As we wound around the endless turns and hills and read the names on the markers, we wondered what story each person could tell - because everyone has a story. Arlington is rich in history and waiting to be explored.

"For the dead and the living we must bear witness" are the words printed on the identification card that tells the story of a real person who lived during the Holocaust and that was presented to each of us as we entered the museum. This was an invitation to use the card to follow the story of one individual, as we visited the different floors and exhibitions to gain a deeper and richer experience of what this individual was going through during this time of history. It was a very somber visit through the museum, one that may have stirred a variety of different emotions within. It definitely forced us to reflect on what our democratic values are and on the freedoms we do have and how they need to be appreciated, nurtured, and protected. It also helped us to further understand the roots and ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, as well as revisit what it means to be a responsible citizen.

Visiting the other memorials further reminded us to honor those who wholeheartedly believed in our nation's ideals and to remember all that they stood for and fought for so that we, today, can enjoy the freedoms that we have. By visiting these memorials, we were inspired to ponder what we may be able to do in our own individual lives now and in the future to further promote the ideals of our nation.