Arlington National Cemetery: Wreaths Across America

Today I went to Arlington Cemetery to try to get some shots of the Christmas Wreaths being placed by the "Wreaths Across America" group.  As it turned out, they needed people to help.  I had no idea that I would get to actually get involved in placing the wreaths on the graves!  They had over 100,000 wreaths, which weren't enough to cover the whole cemetery. I ended up meeting up with some friends who were also there and we placed wreaths in various areas around the cemetery and spent some time reading the markers of the servicemen we were honoring.  It was a great, somber day. 

There were several semis around the grounds full of fresh wreaths.

Getting ready to start.

Getting wreaths from the staff.

This was the first grave I placed a wreath on.

Boxer and US Army Tech Sgt., Joe Louis.

Stuart Roosa, Apollo 14 Pilot. 

A White House Prepares for Inauguration

After I voted the other day, I decided to go see how life was coming along at The White House.  The first thing I noticed was that the entire area was full of construction equipment and teams getting ready for the inauguration.  Although protesters had been relocated and school children had to take their group photos through construction fences, life pretty much went on as normal, just around the crews, trucks and equipment.    

While I was getting the shots of the flags above, I heard a nearby commotion. This fine citizen was complaining loudly to the Secret Service Police that President Obama had done obscene things to his grandmother. To their credit, the officers stood there until he shuffled away, never once responding in kind. Seems their job is a lot more similar to mine than I had ever thought!

Eisenhower Executive Office Building, overlooking the West Wing.

Barricades for the inaugural parade.

Rare instance of no crowds on Pennsylvania Ave.

Any guesses?

Workers put up barricades in Lafayette Square. The Jackson Statue is in the background.

North Lawn & Fountain.

One sight you'll never fail to see is the "I was at the White House" photo!!! On this day, there were several examples. A couple are below.....

The last thing I did before I left Pennsylvania Ave. was take in a street hockey game.

Downtown Scenes in Black & White

Thought I'd do a little black & white work......

Veterans Day Run Along the Potomac

Runners prepare for the Veterans Day 10K.

We spent this morning running along the Tidal Basin and Potomac River in Washington, D.C.  It was a great chance to spend time with our nations soldiers in one of my favorite cities.

A solitary runner along the Tidal Basin.

No matter when you visit, the Tidal Basin always makes for a great photographic opportunity.

This was my view during the race!