While solemn, this was still one of the best places we stopped at. We decided to take a tram through the shrine because of the weather and you couldn't beat the price ($6/person as compared to The Mall tram at $20/person.) Arlington has more hills and by the time we got there we were pretty tired and getting a bit sore after 2 days of walking. The tram guides are knowledgable about the history and grounds as well as the points of interest.  We didn't go to every one but here is what we did see:

Eternal Flame at Kennedy family gravesite

General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr grave

Admiral Byrd, MOH recipient and explorer

Audie Murphy grave

Mast of USS Maine (sunk in Havana Harbor, 1898 starting Spanish-American War)

Challenger and Columbia Crew Memorial

Iran Rescue Mission Memorial

Tomb of the Unknown

Section 27, dedicated to the "Buffalo Soldiers"

The Amphitheater

And while not on the "official" tour guide, we did stop in a small entry way outside the Guard's quarters where they had a touching memorial display for some of the recent members of the Guard that were killed in combat. We stood and watched the Guard for about 30 minutes. After reading the details about the Guard, we all found it extremely interesting. The girls counted steps, seconds, etc and of course, each one was right on the money! We stayed long enough to see them change the guard which was fascinating too. Some things that surprised us....

~how much quieter EVERYONE became as they got further in to the cemetary

~the strides the guards take are slower than normal cadence

~they do not perform the same motions on both hands (in other words it is not just a reverse of the other hand but rather a separate and distinct movement for the left hand and for the right.)

~the foot movements for squaring corners is not the standard movement. The foot is kicked out rather far and higher than usual.

~the voice commands are not done in normal voice command tones

~currently there is one female serving as a Guard

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