As we approach Thanksgiving, November is a time for reflection on our heritage and our heroes.
On November 9th and 10th, Washington and the world looked back on 100 years of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
A sea of flowers flanked the Tomb after visitors came by the thousands to pay their respects during the two-day window when the public was granted unprecedented access to the Tomb ahead of Veterans Day.
On November 14th, the British Embassy reflected on those who served in Afghanistan with a Remembrance Sunday service and reception at Christ Church Georgetown where Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce, placed a wreath of poppies at the altar along with allied embassy representatives.
Military leaders joined parishioners in a two minute moment of silence for the fallen, and ended the service with “God Save the Queen” and “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Scottish Affairs Counsellor Chris Thomson was the guest of honor on November 13th at the Tartan Ball, the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington’s annual dinner dance, back for its 71st affair, toasting Scotland’s legends and raising money for Scottish students.
On November 15th on a crisp autumn day, drenched with sun and the occasional gust of bracing wind, the legendary Marquis de Lafayette was remembered in the Virginia Piedmont at Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison.
The occasion marked 197 years to the day of Lafayette’s visit in 1824 during his Farewell Tour of the US where he was warmly received by his friend Madison, whom he admonished on the evils of slavery.
Julien Icher is a young Frenchman who is traveling the country with his organization, The Lafayette Trail, placing plaques at Lafayette sites and talking to community groups about Lafayette’s legacy as “the patriot of the world.”
France’s Consul General in Washington Francois Penguilly joined the gathering to celebrate the Montpelier marker’s unveiling with Roy F. Young, the head of The Montpelier Foundation, and our host-President James Madison.
The lights in the Kennedy Center’s Opera House seemed to twinkle a little brighter when the name of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg was mentioned this month.
The heroine of the law and performing arts was given a special tribute during the Washington National Opera’s “Come Home: A Celebration of Return” concert series.
Ginsburg’s piano and musical memorabilia has been donated to the WNO by her family in recognition of her passion for opera.
