For Those Unknown

Impression of the Arlington National Cemetery

Laural M Koons

If you haven’t been to Arlington National Cemetery, I highly suggest you add it to your list of places to see. As many times as I have visited, I still get emotional. I had not thought about my impressions before this trip. This was the first time that I have taken someone there who had not been there before, so I tried to look at it through their eyes. 

Although we couldn’t see everything, when Dawn and I came upon the Tomb of the Civil War Unknown (those soldiers of the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run), I knew this was the view I wanted to paint. We already planned to visit the Manassas Battlefield National Park after ANC and somehow this view spoke to me. I was so intrigued with the view that I asked Dawn to photograph it and it is her photograph that I used for my painting. I am thankful for her photography skills to get me the perfect view! 

I don’t believe there is any place at the cemetery that isn’t peaceful. The vast number of men and women laid to rest there, many having given their lives for this country. Others, like my inlaws, served in the Military and were veterans of several military campaigns. There are spouses, and children of those who served as well as politicians. If there was one word to sum up my impression of the ANC, it would be the feeling of respect.