It was great to spend a recent few days back in the nation’s capital. It has been a few years since I had made a visit to Washington, D.C., and was there to support the more than 20,000 people who live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We were there to push legislation that would support people with MS and other afflictions that make people immobile. This was also an opportunity to visit my sister, Virginia, who has worked on The Hill since she left college 30 years ago. She is a great resource for behind the scenes tours and this year she showed us the Capital Building. My fiance, Liljana, had never been to D.C. so that was an added bonus, as we listened to some amazing stories from our country’s history.
The best part of the trip, especially since my son Austin is in the army, was a visit to Arlington Cemetery. I have a grandfather who is buried there and its an amazing place. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the JFK grave site are both moving things to see.
We did some of the Smithsonian museums and that was a treat. The Air and Space Museum was the best experience, with the Spirit of St Louis hanging there as well as the Apollo 11 capsule that carried my hometown hero, Buzz Aldrin, who was the second man to step foot on the moon.
The other sites we were able to see on our brief visit included the Lincoln Memorial, the World War 2 memorial and the Vietnam Wall, as well as the Korean War monument.
All in all there is no place like it on Earth. Even with the discord in Washington today, it is always an honor to be in the nation’s capital to see firsthand the history and legacy that shapes and guides our country.
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.
