Christina’s Journey Journal

Category: Washington, D.C.

  • This and that around the USA (Arizona and Washington DC)

    This and that around the USA (Arizona and Washington DC)

    San Tan Valley, AZ over Thanksgiving week in 2024

    We spent Thanksgiving with our sons in Arizona and did some hiking at Santan Mountain Regional Park. Nothing like 75 degree Fahrenheit weather with no humidity, lots of sunshine and plenty of saguaro cactus 🌵 along the path!

    Then on to our nation’s capitol where it was cold and we were lucky to be there the night of the Capitol tree lighting.

    An 80 feet Sitka Spruce arrived by rail from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest and was decorated with ornaments made by children from across the country.
    The National Archive Museum made me shed a tear thinking about the birth of my country.
    Here is the Bill of Rights. 🇺🇸
    The Constitution of the
    ❤️United States of America💙
    This is one of four surviving originals of the 1297 Magna Carta. Ironically, it’s much more legible than our Bill of Rights and Constitution and nearly 500 years older!

    The Magna Carta was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. This document shaped our nation by establishing that people can assert their rights against an oppressive ruler and the power of government can be limited to protect those rights. This document sits right below our constitution in the National Archive Museum.

    Philanthropist David M. Rubenstein donated the Magna Carta where it’s proudly displayed in its own area. Interesting fact—it was previously owned by H. Ross Perot, who loaned it to the National Archives for decades.

  • Washington D.C. 🇺🇸

    Washington D.C. 🇺🇸

    On April 4th, 2023 my dad was called for his honor flight to Washington, D.C. He’s been waiting about 4 years and the day had finally arrived! Along with 56 other veterans, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight organization made the day incredibly special for each of them.

    The day started when we arrived at Lambert International Airport at 3:00 am. After we walked through security, they served the veterans breakfast at the gate. Here Dad is showing off his breakfast sandwich 🤣. More importantly, he’s wearing his dog tags from Vietnam and his father’s from WWII.
    The agenda for our day of honor
    Headed to Washington D.C. to see the memorials. Onboard were two WWII veterans (tan shirts), 19 Korean (burgundy shirts), and 35 ish Vietnam (green shirts).
    Mid-air we lowered the shades, turned on the flight attendant call button, and flipped the switch on the bracelet each veteran was wearing. The plane glowed blue and we had 30 seconds of silence to honor those who couldn’t be with us today.
    Here we come!
    The fire trucks are there to great us with a water salute…rainbow and all! 🌈
    Welcome to DC! Everywhere we went people were so appreciative and let our veterans know!
    Once we arrived we loaded up on 3 buses.
    We were on the “red” bus ❤️
    First stop—The Lincoln Memorial and a group photo
    Honoring these Missouri veterans
    Taking in all in!
    Dad found the name of his high school buddy on the Wall. He was able to do a rub.
    Honoring so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 🇺🇸 Dad was in Vietnam in 1968.
    After a brief lunch courtesy of Mission BBQ, we then went to the WWII Memorial
    Honoring his father at the WWII memorial. My grandfather was in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He was part of the Army Corp of Engineers who built bridges.
    At the Iwo Jima Memorial
    Arlington National Cemetery – Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
    We saw the changing of the guard.
    The Sweet Adelines serenading us during dinner at the Air Force Memorial during. It was such a gorgeous day!
    An old fashioned Mail Call for the veterans. Dad spent the entire flight home opening/reading 85 cards and letters! Each one was so moving.
    Coming home to a parade! The number of people at the airport to welcome home the veterans was astonishing.
    That smile says it all. A long overdue welcome home, especially for the Vietnam Vets!🇺🇸
    The welcoming committee, aka family ❤️
    55 years later and a welcome home each of those veterans deserved

    A very long, rewarding, and inspiring day. The stories, the laughter, the tears, and the honor. Thank you for your service. ❤️🤍💙