Pomp? Yeah, we got pomp.

Ah, the things we do to fill the day when church starts at 3 p.m. Today, we decided to go to Arlington National Cemetery to see the flags placed on every grave for Memorial Day and to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

It was a wonderful outing -- despite getting caught in Rolling Thunder gridlock (the annual throng of veteran-motorcyclists who descend on the city every Memorial Day.) It's about a 10-15 minute uphill stroll from the visitor's center to the Tomb (bring strollers!), and the changing of the guard takes place every half-hour during the summer. We got there just 5 minutes before the ceremony, and had a prime viewing position. You can see what it's like on this YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqZ-mkdp1H0

I learned that it's best to stand to the far right when facing the Tombs, because the guards are at that end as they go through the handoff. The Kennedy gravesite/eternal flame and Joe Louis' grave are right on the way to the Unknowns. (There's tons of other interesting stuff there, too, of course.) Parking was cheap and easy, even on Memorial Day weekend, which I took as a good sign for the summer. $1.75 an hour. Admission is free.