Austin Archives: Arlington Centennial Tribute to General Doyen, Raymond and Raymonde October 6, 2018

Arlington Centennial Tribute October 6, 2018

The practice of memory. Stories passed between generations.

So meaningful to share this pilgrimage with my son, Cyrus.
Social media, too, as a prompt for us to gather at this Centennial
and dream the future.

Tears and humility at Arlington surrounded by visitors.
Personal stories of my dad, visits with Doyen's relatives,
reflections as an older person, thankful.
So meaningful all the times Cyrus has shown up & listened.
Love across time.

Unexpectedly moving for unexpected reasons.
Are you ready to do this thing you are asked to do? For one hour?
The new guard is tasked. Everyone else leaves. He is there alone to
act his choice. The Unknown Soldier, known only to God.

Aunt Raymonde Austin Thompson, named for her Uncle,
Major Raymond Austin, killed in action
in France at the end of WWI - Oct 6, 1918

Doyen's gravesite is easy to find from the entrance.
Locate Arlington House on the hill above President's Kennedy's
grave below.

President Kennedy's gravesite with the eternal flame.
Section 5 is below this to the north.

Doyen shares Section 5, with US Supreme Court leaders.

Oliver Wendell Holmes is marked B on the Visitor's map.
Access Section 5 here, just down from the Kennedy memorial.

Unexpectedly large crowds of visitors.
The trolley wait was almost 2 hrs, but its easy to walk.

The White House at night.
Historic, fragile, smaller than you expect.
A good time to visit the nation's capitol and check in
on these anchors you think you know.