Family Matters Blog: Guest Blogger Touched by Visit to Arlington Cemetery

By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2010 – Donna Miles, my colleague at American Forces Press Service, toured Arlington National Cemetery the other day and wrote about her experiences there. In an AFPS commentary, Donna shares her reflections on the ultimate sacrifice made by so many Americans, and how their families honor them during the holiday season.

She writes: “The cemetery never fails to move me, its stark white headstones standing dress-right-dress along its hills and plains for as far as the eye can see. Driving through the grand entrance gates just as they opened this morning of the winter solstice – the longest, darkest day of the year – I knew I was in for an emotional morning.”

Read the rest of Donna’s touching commentary here.

The Arlington National Cemetery grave of Army Cpl. Christopher John-Lee "C.J." West, an 82nd Airborne Division soldier killed in Iraq in February 2004, features two American flags, a large Styrofoam snowman, a set of felt reindeer antlers and a sweatshirt of West’s beloved Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 21, 2010. DOD photo by Donna Miles    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

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