Spread The Better: WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington DC has been loaded with opportunities to reconnect with those who serve our country. Many of whom have lost their lives, paying the ultimate sacrifice. Our first connection with these heroes was in Arlington National Cemetery.

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Juliann

Nothing can quite prepare you for the wave of emotion that comes over you as you enter those sacred grounds. The stark contrast of the angelic white stones upon the lush green and lively grass. Thoughts of how painfully unfair it is that these men and women had to die performing such a noble act, contrast those of what an immense honor it is to be laid to rest on this holy ground. I felt sorrow for them at the exact moment that I longed to follow in their footsteps. This is as it should be. A hero gives when others do not or can not. They give in many occasions so that we do not have to. They run toward the dangers that we run away from. All too often, earning the right to be laid to rest in a place such as this.

Arlington National Cemetery

Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, and Jason

Choice, Ryder, Juliann, Tate, and Shiloh

Arlington National Cemetery

Ryder, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Tate

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Juliann, and Tate

Ryder, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Tate

Jason and Juliann

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann

Arlington National Cemetery

Choice, Tate, Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder

Choice, Juliann, and Tate

I found myself lost in thoughts of my "widow" title...resulting from a beautiful life lost in the service of others. As my eyes looked from one white stone to the next, for what seemed like miles and miles on end, I thought of the vast amount of lives impacted. Each small stone, with little to no distinction from the one on either side of it, represents a life such as the one that was lived by my sweet Andrew. How could these small stones do justice? Why do they all look the same? Why are they so small and plain? Then the ah-ha moment... It is in the uniformity and simplicity that the true beauty is found. There is no need to compensate. No amount of words could be written to tell a more impactful story than the fact that this individual lived a life of service earning him or her this plain white and glorious headstone. A million unspoken words accompany the reverence of their name and dates of birth and death. Further, when I looked upon the back side of these headstones I noticed the way in which the wives of these men are recognized. They too have little flash or glitz...all that is written is their name, dates, and the sheer fact that they were the wife of this soldier. In the end, what else is more revered and noble than that? For those of us who send a soldier or first responder off to work where they put their life on the line to serve others, this comes as no surprise. We understand the glorious, strenuous, terrifying, rewarding, humbling, painstaking, and honorable story that is written behind the words "Beloved Wife".

Arlington - wives

Arlington National Cemetery

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

The kids had the chance to look upon many other kids' Dads who died serving our country. This cross they've been asked to bare in their lives is not one that they are carrying alone. There are children all across this great nation, and have been for generations preceding ours, who live with an immaculately folded flag on the mantle and a photo album as their Dad. This responsibility is an awesome one. The chance to carry their heroic Daddy with them throughout their life will bless them in times that are currently incomprehensible. There is indeed a silver lining if we choose to recognize it.

Tate, Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

Tate

Choice

Shiloh and Juliann

The lyrics to this song played in my head as I walked out the entrance, the gates swinging shut behind me, last to leave for the night. Please take a moment to listen...

https://youtu.be/TGzuvmut3Hs

Juliann

With that, we could have concluded our trip to DC and felt more than satisfied with the depth of gratitude, respect, and appreciation we'd achieved. Washington DC however recognizes so many noble and worthy outfits who dedicate their lives to serving others. We had just brushed the surface. So we moved onward...aboard the subway.

Juliann, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Jason

Choice

Ryder and Shiloh

Multiple conversations have taken place on this trip about Abraham Lincoln. He is another who lost his life while serving our country. The kids are fascinated by his assassination and why anyone would do that to him. We went by Ford's Theater, where President Lincoln was shot by his assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

Tate, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Ryder

Then we made our way across the street to the home where Lincoln died.

Ryder, Tate, Juliann, Choice, and Shiloh

Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Now that the kids have seen his birthplace and his tomb, they can place these event into the sequence and paint an overview of Lincoln's life and death.

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Jason

It's easy to understand why they have become fans of honest Abe.

Ryder

Shiloh

By this time, our first day in Washington DC was drawing to an end. We caught a glimpse of our nation's Capitol Building and the Washington Monument lit up in the night sky. Everything else would have to wait for day two.

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Tate, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder

Day two in Washington DC was going to be a busy one. We all put our walking shoes on and took to the streets. First thing to capture the kids' attention was a flock of geese by the Mall area. We stopped and fed them a pop tart that I'd grabbed to eat as breakfast on the go.

Ryder, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Tate

Choice

Tate and Choice

Jason, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Shiloh and Tate

Choice

Tate

Choice

Choice and Tate

Tate and Choice

Once Choice and Tate had successful chased off the geese, we had to catch them before heading to our first real site of the day...Lincoln's Memorial.

Jason, Choice, and Tate

Jason, Choice, and Tate at Lincoln Memorial

Because we've become Lincoln's traveling fan club, we thought this would be an appropriate place to start our day.

I have been to this Memorial a handful of times and yet, it still captivates me. It appeared to have the same effect on Ryder and Shiloh today.

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice at the Lincoln Memorial

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Jason, Tate, and Choice

Ryder and Tate sat out front giving their best effort at impersonating Lincoln sitting in his chair.

Ryder and Tate

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann

I talked with the kids for a few minutes about the Emancipation Proclamation. Their minds were racing with questions and I did my best to answer them in an age appropriate way. It is wildly fun to see how kids' minds work. (However, I would have held my tongue had I known they would have an entire conversation with our African American driver about it on our way back to the bus.)

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Shiloh, Jason, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Juliann

Even Choice had to give us his two cents about President Lincoln sitting in that chair. He just kept saying, "Tell him to stop looking at me".

Choice and Juliann

Based on the simple fact that he is a statue, the only way for us to accommodate Choice's wishes was to move on to the next site.

Next on our list was a memorial that has quickly become my favorite of all the memorials in Washington DC. I am speaking of the Korean War Memorial. My first trip to DC after the Granite Mountain Crew had passed away was also the first time I'd ever visited this memorial. I can still recall the fragile emotional state I was in as I walked up to it. My heart was heavy with thoughts of my friends on the crew and with my aching to see Andrew. Immediately upon walking up to this memorial, I felt as if I was staring at the crew. The Korean War Memorial depicts the soldiers who fought in that war with an uncanny resemblance to the vision I hold onto of our Granite Mountain Hotshots. The artist chose to use 19 lifelike statues. 19! He positioned them in a pattern that demonstrates how they may have moved along the battlefield. It reminded me of our boys. They are holding equipment and wearing gear that would be fit for soldiers and hotshots alike.

Juliann, Ryder, and Choice at the Korean War Memorial

We all had a connection to this memorial. Jason's grandfather fought in this war.

Jason at Korean War Memorial

Choice, Juliann, Tate, and Shiloh

Choice and Tate

Korean War Memorial

Tate and Choice

We all know too well the message that is written on the wall...FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

We walked over to the Vietnam War Memorial from there. This sculpture speaks volumes. In the sculptor, Jay Hill Carpenter's, own words:

"I see the wall as a kind of ocean, a sea of sacrifice that is overwhelming and nearly incomprehensible in the sweep of names. I place these figures upon the shore of that sea, gazing upon it, standing vigil before it, reflecting the human face of it, the human heart. The portrayal of the figures is consistent with history. They wear the uniform and carry the equipment of war, they are young. The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice. There is about them the physical contact and sense of unity that bespeaks the bongs of love and sacrifice that is the nature of men at war. And yet, they are each alone. Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident. Their true heroism lies in these bonds of loyalty in the face of their awareness and their vulnerability."

In trying to find a childlike way to describe it to the kids, we talked about how strong their bodies are and how tender their hearts are. That they are gazing upon the names of all their brothers and sisters that died in that very war from which they are returning. The kids seemed to grasp the concept and their demeanor become more somber and calm. (well, momentarily).

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

It was touching to see the way they reacted to the seemingly endless list of names etched upon that wall.

Choice at the Vietnam War Memorial

We brought a Be Better Band with us to the city, looking for a good place to leave our mark. It was while we were walking along this wall honoring those lost in the Vietnam War that we found that spot. Our eyes were drawn to a small note atop a few red roses placed at the base of the wall. The envelope read...

"FOR SOMEONE GRIEVING...

FOR WHOEVER NEEDS COMFORT AND LOVE,

TAKE ME; HAVE A BLESSED DAY"

My heart swelled within my chest as I read those beautiful words handwritten on the envelope from what appeared to be someone in their youth. The kids and I agreed that this was the perfect place to add a be better band...so we did. Hopefully it impacts the life of someone who is searching for a kind and uplifting message and in some way we will have spread the better.

Tate and Ryder

Choice, Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Jason

The last piece of the Vietnam Memorial is just as beautiful as the others. It is the tribute to the women who participated and served in that war. The sculpture has three women. The first is a nurse offering aid to a bomb victim. She is known as CHARITY.

Choice, Shiloh, Juliann, and Tate

Vietnam Women's Memorial

The second woman who is kneeling in prayer is known as FAITH.

Vietnam Women's Memorial

And the third woman who is looking up to the sky for a rescue helicopter is known as HOPE. These three women exemplify the qualities that the sculptor wished to be remembered about the women of that war...charitable, faithful, and hopeful.

Vietnam Women's Memorial

After celebrating so many heroes of our country, we still had a lot more to see. The World War II Memorial was a short stop on our way to the Washington Monument.

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, and Tate

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, Jason, and Ryder

Tate

Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann

Choice

Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann and Jason

Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate

Jason and Juliann

Juliann and Shiloh

Choice, Juliann, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh

Washington Monument

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann

Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, Juliann, and Tate

Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice

Washington Monument

Tate, Ryder, Choice, Juliann, and Shiloh

Shiloh, Ryder, Jason, Choice, and Tate

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Juliann, Ryder, and Jason

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

Tate, Choice, and Ryder

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Choice

Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

Tate, Ryder, Jason, and Choice

Ryder, Jason, and Tate

Shiloh, Jason, Ryder, Tate, and Choice

Juliann

Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, and Tate

Ryder, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

The longer the day went on, the more goofy the kids became. They found ways to entertain themselves as we walked along the streets of DC.

Tate with the rest of us in the reflection

our reflection

According to the kids, the Capitol Building looked like a transformer as it is smack dab in the middle of the Dome Restoration Project. It wasn't nearly as pristine as I remember from the last time I was there, yet, after the completion of the restoration I am sure it will be immaculate and lovely.

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Juliann, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Ryder, Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Juliann

Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

Ryder, Tate, Juliann, Choice, and Shiloh

Juliann, Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

We played some highly competitive games of duck-duck-goose and tag on the front lawn.

Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Choice at Capitol Hill

U.S. Capitol Building

Ryder and Shiloh

Tate and Ryder

Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Choice

When the kids' rumbling tummies gave us the cue to keep moving, we made our way to the next location.

But not without a few bizarre moments along the way...

Shiloh and Ryder

Choice, Jason, Ryder, and Shiloh

Jason, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

As well as several small reminders of home.

Firemen...

A sister restaurant to one of my favorite places to eat in Arizona...

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Juliann, and Tate

The National Fallen Officers Memorial is a beautiful tribute to remember those men and women law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Conceptually it is very similar to the memorial for wildland firefighters we visited in Boise, ID.

Juliann, Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

I have made many deep and lasting friendships throughout the course of my mourning and my healing. Two very dear friends of mine are widows whose husbands were police officers who died while serving to protect us. There husbands are both recognized and honored at this memorial and I was grateful to have the opportunity to point both of their names out to the kids.

First, Daryl Raetz.

Police Officer Daryl Raetz was struck and killed by an SUV while making an arrest for a DUI just two months prior to the passing of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. He was a veteran of the Iraq war and had served with the Phoenix Police Department for six years. He left behind his wife, Stephanie, their daughter, Tatum, and his parents and brother.

His widow, Stephanie, is a dear friend of mine. She is such a strong and beautiful woman who gives her time and attention to raising their beautiful daughter Tatum as a single mother.

The kids and I enjoyed locating his name on the wall and sharing a picture with Ms. Stephanie to let her know we love and miss her.

Next, Doug Knutson.

Douglas E. Knutson

Doug was struck from behind by a pickup truck while standing and waiting for a tow truck to remove an abandoned vehicle at the gore point on the freeway in Scottsdale, AZ. He died at the age of 43, leaving behind his lovely widow, Sharon (k/n/a Sharon Knutson-Felix). She is now remarried and is the Executive Director for the 100 Club of Arizona, whom we visited very early on in this tour.

We located Doug's name on the wall as well and sent a few photos to Ms Sharon.

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Juliann

It is always so difficult to see the vast number of fatalities that have occurred while men and women are responding to a call to serve. This stop at the National Fallen Officers Memorial presented great moments to be able to discuss these things with the kids. They have met Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Sharon and were able to further understand that these families share a common bond with us and indeed understand what we are going through.

Choice and Shiloh

With that, we concluded our second day in Washington DC...one to follow. Walking back to the bus, we saw an old stump and decided to have one more memorable moment for the day. With the many memorials we'd seen still so fresh in our minds, everyone took their turn standing atop the old stump and posing in the position they'd wish to be in if there was ever a statue erected in their honor. The results were ridiculous. See for yourself...

Jason

Ryder

Shiloh

Tate

Choice

Our third and final day in DC was an exciting one for the kids. We were given a VIP tour of the White House by Vice President Biden's assistant, Anne Marie.

She was an absolute gem; delightful and extremely helpful.

Tours have a whole lot of "hurry up and wait" involved. This was a good time for us to snap a few pictures of the area.

Shiloh

Choice, Juliann, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice, Juliann, Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Jason

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

For the first time in 40 years they allow you to take photos within the walls of the White House. They not only allow it, but they encourage it.

Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate

While walking through the hallways, I had thoughts of what it would've been like at the time that it housed former US Presidents and their families.

Tate, Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Juliann

Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

Juliann, Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Jason, and Choice

Each room serves a unique purpose. From the room that holds the fine china dishes selected by each first lady, to the greeting rooms such as the one pictured below, to libraries, and dining rooms.

Tate, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Ryder

Jason

Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

Tate and Shiloh with bust of Lincoln

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann

Shiloh, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann

Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Tate, Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Juliann

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann, Choice, Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Jason

Here's a peak to how crazy this place would become if our family resided there...

Juliann

Tate

Shiloh

Ryder and Shiloh

Jason

Tate and Shiloh

Tate

Juliann and Ryder

Jason and Choice

Tate, Juliann, Ryder, Jason, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann

For now, we'll stick to our life outside of politics.

Shiloh and Jason

Ryder, Choice, Juliann, Tate, and Shiloh

We walked around the backside of the house to snap a few pictures of the view from which it is most commonly photographed.

Juliann, Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate at the White House

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

Then totally unexpectedly and out of nowhere, we bumped into Ray Maione. Oh my gosh...what are the chances?!?! Ray is another incredible individual who has helped us immensely throughout our journey over the past couple of years. He works as part of the union for firefighters and really had my back a time or two when I felt as if I may be standing all alone.

Needless to say, being away from home for so long, seeing his familiar face brought me unimaginable joy. The kids were super excited to see him as well.

Ryder, Ray, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Tate at the White House

Ryder, Ray, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Tate

With that, we sat on the street enjoying a delicious hot lunch of pretzels and hotdogs, and recalling the many relevant and memorable things we had seen over the past few days.

Jason, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

We discussed the fact that if hey so desire, they can aim to be the President someday. (That's a scary thought).

However, the thought of "someday" is a little less frightening than that of "today".

Goodbye Washington DC. I hope the kids will really remember the multitudes of heroes they learned about here and strive to be like them. God bless all of the men and women who work faithfully, fearlessly, and wholeheartedly to serve and protect us. Thank you!

Spread The Better

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

WASHINGTON D.C.

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