Unknown, but not Forgotten

Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington, Virginia (November 2010)

On the Last Saturday of February: … and then a Memorial in Virginia

Saturday — February 27

When we left the National Museum of American History around noon, we were feeling quite good about our day thus far. Once outside, we were pleased to note that the temperature had warmed up a bit and the stiff wind was down to an occasional gust. The sky was blue; the sun was shining. What more could we ask for? Delaying lunch for a bit, we headed to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

I remember the first time I glimpsed the memorial. It was December 2006; we were driving home. I knew very little about it, except that it had only recently been dedicated. Seeing the three graceful spires reaching up to the sky, I was reminded of fighter jets taking off into the “wild blue yonder.” My next thought was, “It’s the Missing Man formation.” Not quite; although I later came to learn that this Air Force tradition is in fact incorporated into the memorial, but in a more subtle way.

On a night in December 2006, light fog makes the Air Force Memorial seem quite ethereal.

For those who aren’t aware of Mui’s service record, he served in the US Air Force as an active duty airman from May 1982 through September 1991. When he accepted a civilian position with the Federal Government, he didn’t quite leave all things military behind. Instead, he joined the Air Force Reserves, serving at Andrews Air Force Base until his retirement in March 2005. As you can imagine, of all the memorials dedicated to the branches of the Armed Services, this one carries the most meaning for us.

Left: The spires represent the three core values of the Air Force
— Integrity first; Service before self; and Excellence in all we do —
Right: Mui studies one of the granite inscription walls.

On the promontory overlooking the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, the wind chill was stronger than it had been on the Mall. Undaunted, we wandered around the memorial grounds — reading the inscriptions carved into the polished walls; studying the glass contemplation wall with its etched aircraft depicted in the Missing Man formation; admiring the patriotism, power, and strength represented by the bronze honor guard on duty forevermore.

Mom and Mui at the granite wall inscribed with the “three pillars” of the Air Force.

“Excellence in all we do” reflects my image back to me.

The glass contemplation wall with its aircraft etched in the Missing Man formation is positioned in front of another granite wall;
this one inscribed with three more values of the Air Force: Valor, Courage, Sacrifice.

This aircraft represents the “Missing Man” on the glass contemplation wall.

The Honor Guard symbolizes “patriotism and power.”

Glimpse of the DC skyline with Arlington National Cemetery in the foreground.

We would liked to have stayed longer at the memorial, but the wind chill was becoming quite uncomfortable. Combine that with some stomach grumblings and it was obviously time to seek out a cozy place for lunch. First, we checked out an eatery in the Courthouse neighborhood that had been recommended by an acquaintance, but didn’t quite warm up to the place. Eventually, our drive up Wilson Boulevard took us to The Liberty Tavern in the Clarendon neighborhood.

The bar was filled to the rafters, so to speak, and it was noisy enough for us to have second thoughts about the place. Not to worry; we were led to a table in the dining room on the second floor where we had a very satisfactory meal.

Menu selections from our lunch at the Liberty Tavern.

And so we bring “meteorological winter” to a close. What does the first weekend of spring have in store for us? We’ll have to wait to find out. In the meantime, we thoroughly enjoyed our outing today.