Good Morning Judge: A Taste of American History

WASHINGTON, D.C. is the seat of all Federal government offices in the United States being the U.S. capital starting with the imposing White House. We also found time in going to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Library of Congress which is reputed to be the biggest library in shelf space and in volumes in the world, the Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial, among others. There were several museums, such as the Smithsonian Institute that houses the Air and Space Museum and Museum of Natural History which are so big that one day is not enough to be able to see all the exhibits displayed in the museum. From there we proceeded to Virginia and toured the Arlington National Cemetery where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers are located and hundreds of tombs bearing white crosses stand. Every thirty minutes the ritualistic changing of the guards are performed in solemn ceremony where observers are required to maintain silence throughout the rituals and cellphones put at silent mode. At the changing of the guards observers are asked to stand up while in observance of the proceedings. The burial place of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Jacquelyn Kennedy with the eternal flame is likewise located at the Arlington National Cemetery. A mile away from Virginia, we proceeded to Mount Vernon, the home of the late U.S. President George Washington and his wife Martha, and the most popular historic home in America. The house has 21 rooms including the master bedroom where the first President of the United States died. Tourists and visitors are allowed to tour the entire house. Aside from the main house, there are other buildings which used to house the male and female servants separately, the slaves, a blacksmith building, shoe making building and other smaller buildings for other utilities. The Mount Vernon estate consists about 500 acres. The architectural style of all buildings are Palladian and behind the mansion is a grand view of the Potomac River. A few miles away from Mount Vernon is the Marine Corps Memorial which represents the country’s gratitude to the Marines and those who fought beside them. The sculpture of soldiers hoisting the U.S. flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima of World War II memorial is dedicated to all the Marines gave their lives in defense of the U.S. since November 10, 1775. We also took note that among the important places listed in the memorial are Bataan and Corregidor. Our travel at Washington D. C. is historic and both educational and sentimental. And we thank the Lord for all these opportunities. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “ONE PERSON CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND EVERYONE SHOULD TRY.” JOHN F. KENNEDY FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “IT IS BETTER FOR A MAN TO HEAR THE REBUKE OF THE WISE THAN TO HEAR THE SONGS OF FOOL.” ECC: 12:15