The school makes this distinction: “…it’s a field trip that parents have to grant permission for students to attend.”

Let’s see, current president Obama spoke about the importance of education and to not give up on school. Arlington schools did not broadcast the speech in its schools but did allow students to check out of school to watch it at a local church with parental permission. That is, if they could find transportation to get them to the church and back to school in a reasonable amount of time.

Former president Bush is speaking September 21st at a North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee event at Cowboys Stadium in support of the Super Bowl’s new education program. Twenty-eight fifth-grade classes, or about 500 students, will be bussed there. Parents will have to sign the usual “field trip” permission slips so their children can attend.

Sound biased to you?

Source: Star-Telegram
Photo, Flickr, marcn

Post from: Blisstree

Obama/Bush Speeches – Double Standard?

Among thousands of tulips on the grounds, along with lots of other flowers,  is a bell tower — a carillon — that was a gift to our country from the Netherlands.  There are 50 bells in the carillon, the largest about 7 feet in diameter and weighing in and over 12,000 pounds, and the smallest measuring about 9 inches in diameter and weighing about 35 pounds.  The bells are programmed to chime the hour 10 am – 6 pm daily.  They also ring out in special concerts.

Stairs lead up to an observation platform, and from there a smaller staircase leads up to the glass enclosed bell cabin.  Climb the stairs for the view, or enjoy the sights from ground level.

The grounds are part of the National Park Service, and are large enough enjoy a picnic, toss a frisbee, or walk around looking at the tulips, the carillon, and the Iwo Jima monument.  Admission to the park is free.  Parking can be difficult.

It’s a great place to spend an afternoon, but my favorite time is dusk.  As you watch the sun go down you can also see the lights of the monuments and the city come on.  It’s a special time just before nightfall.

Photo credit: cliff1066 @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Visit the Netherlands Carillon in DC

Location: Arlington National Cemetery 
Destination: Arlington, Virginia
Country: United States
Year Taken: 2009

Photographer: Jon Rochetti
Blog: The DC Traveler

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery outside of Washington, DC is guarded around the clock, 365 days-a-year, since 1937.

Beginning after World War II, special detail from the 3rd United States Infantry, also called The Old Guard, have been protecting the tomb.

In 1921, an unidentified soldier who had died during World War I in France, was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in a temporary crypt. Eleven years later, a formal white marble sarcophagus was installed.

To honor the unidentified soldiers who perished in battle during World War II and the Korean War, two additional bodies were interred in 1958.

In 1984, the remains of a Vietnam War soldier that had not been identified were also interred in the tomb. But through DNA identification, the soldier’s identity was later determined in 1998 and the remained were moved.

To submit your photo to Travel Photo Daily, please add your destination or travel photos to the Travel Photo Daily Flickr group. 

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Post from: Blisstree

Changing of the Guards at Arlington Cemetery

Location: Arlington Cemetery 
Destination: Arlington, Virginia 
Country: United States
Year Taken: 2009

Photographer: Jon Rochetti
Blog: The DC Traveler

One of the only two U.S. Presidents to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, John F. Kennedy’s grave is marked with an eternal flame.

He was buried on November 25, 1963, after being assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  But due to thousands of daily visitors to the original gravesite, the grave was moved in 1967, just a few feet to its current location, which included the Cape Cod granite stones in a 5-foot circle and the always-lit eternal flame.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, his wife, was laid to rest next to Kennedy in 1994, and two infant children who died in 1953 and 1963, were also reburied at the same  location.

To submit your photo to Travel Photo Daily, please add your destination or travel photos to the Travel Photo Daily Flickr group. 

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Post from: Blisstree

The Eternal Flame – Gravesite of President John F. Kennedy at Arlington Cemetery