9/11

One of the best parts about homeschooling is the ability to be spontaneous!   

Last week we visited the 9/11 exhibit at the Newseum and had a long discussion with the kids (and a couple of friends) about all that transpired on that day 14-years-ago.   I was surprised at how emotional I still got talking about it and how interested the kids were in learning more about it.    But even after watching a video, looking at artifacts, and hearing me discuss it, I still felt like they didn't get it.  

So today we made a very spontaneous decision to take a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. (thanks for the suggestion, Mika!)  

It was powerful to be there on this day amongst the graves of so many people who had died fighting for our freedoms.  

We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier  and had a great discussion about the sacrifice that so many people have made to make our country what it is.

(the video is horrible quality and somehow still sideways despite me correcting my camera position after just a few seconds, but it's still cool to watch)

Then we found  the Pentagon Memorial Marker and placed flags on some graves there.  

My kids were in awe when we walked a little further up and actually saw the Pentagon.   We've seen it many times before, but seeing it in the distance just beyond the cemetery was a powerful moment (that I didn't take a picture of)!  

   

It turned out to be a beautiful visit that was worth about 1000 history lessons from a book.  

God Bless America!