Colin Beamer and
friends are on a wonderful journey that placed them in New York City on July
4. Colin posted that they visited the
9/11 Memorial. It started me thinking
about “sacred sites” that every American should visit if they have the
opportunity. Here is my list of the top
ten sacred sites. All but one is on
American soil. While Washington DC is
number one, the others are placed in chronological order rather than order of
importance.
1)
Washington, DC:
You will discover the entire American Experience in Washington. Gaze on our nation’s sacred texts at the
National Archives. Be inspired by our
great leaders at the monuments and memorials:
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, and MLK. Pay homage to our fallen at the War Memorials: WWII, Korean, and Vietnam, and don’t miss
Arlington. Review our nation’s history
at the Smithsonian Museums and the Newseum.
See our nation’s government at work at the White House, the US Capitol,
and the Supreme Court Building. Be
inspired and pray at the National Cathedral. Stand on the National Mall and
simply be proud to be an American.
2)
America’s Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. This is where it all began. The first permanent English colony at
Jamestown. A visit to Williamsburg is to
travel back in time to Colonial America and an experience of the spirit of
Revolution that was building. Yorktown
is where the dream of independence became a reality in our unlikely victory
over the powerful British.
3)
Boston and the Freedom Trail: The fires of Revolution were also burning in
Boston. Walk the Freedom Trail. See Bunker Hill, the Old North Church, and
relive the Boston Tea Party. Follow the midnight
ride of Paul Revere to Lexington and Concord and see where “The Shot Heard ‘Round
the World” was fired. Every citizen of
Lexington, NC should visit Lexington, Massachusetts if they have are able
because the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” landed here just a few weeks later
when brave Patriots named our town Lexington.
4)
Philadelphia:
When the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence placed their
signatures on this priceless document, many thought they were signing their
death warrant. The odds were against
them. They truly risked their “lives,
their fortunes and their sacred honor.” Visit
Freedom Hall and the Liberty Bell.
5)
Fort McHenry:
This year marks the 200th anniversary of our National
Anthem. Most Americans don’t realize how
close we came to losing our new found independence in the War of 1812. The story of Francis Scott Key and the
writing of the National Anthem is an amazing experience. Combine this with a visit to the American
History Museum to see the actual Star Spangled Banner.
6)
Mount Vernon and Monticello: A visit to the home of two our founding
fathers is another journey back in time.
It helps us to understand the genius of two of our greatest founders.
7)
Gettysburg:
This is sacred ground. It was
here that the Civil War turned. It was
also here that Abraham Lincoln uttered his immortal words that have galvanized
our nation ever since. “That government
of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the face
of the earth.”
8)
Pearl Harbor:
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor changed our world forever. Over 2,500 Americans died and it propelled us
into World War II. To visit the Arizona
Memorial is a powerful and sacred experience.
It still holds the bodies of 1,102 sailors including Harold Tussey of
Davidson County.
9)
Normandy:
D-Day not only won the war, but it saved democracy for our time. Yet, more American lives were lost in one day
that the entire war in Iraq. The
American Cemetery holds the bodies of 10,000 American soldiers, plus the Wall
of Missing has over 1,500 names. We must
never forget.
10)
The 9/11 Memorial.
This is the Pearl Harbor of our generation. No one will ever forget where they were and
what they were doing on September 11, 2001.
Freedom is never free.
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