November 2011 Drill Highlights
The Central Maryland Corsairs visited the White House complex in Washington DC. After passing through the security screening room, they walked upstairs to the first floor and through the East, Green, Blue, Red, and State Dining rooms. The tour was expanded this year to the second floor where the Corsairs visited the Lincoln Bedroom, the Queen’s Bedroom, and President Obama’s Master Bedroom.
After the White house tour the Corsairs visited the U.S. National World War II Memorial dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II. The Corsairs visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial which commemorates those who served in the Korean War. Next the Corsairs visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which honors U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, and those service members who were unaccounted for (Missing In Action) during the War.
After Chow the Corsairs visited Arlington National Cemetery. While there the Corsairs walked to the Tomb of the Unknowns which stands on top of a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. Interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns are Unknown Soldier of World War I, interred November 11, 1921. Unknown Soldier of World War II, interred May 30, 1958. Unknown Soldier of the Korean War, also interred May 30, 1958. Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War, interred May 28, 1984.The remains of the Vietnam Unknown were disinterred, under the authority of President Bill Clinton, on May 14, 1998, and were identified as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael J. Blassie, whose family had him re interred near their home in St. Louis, Missouri. It has been determined that the crypt at the Tomb of the Unknowns that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain empty. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been perpetually guarded since July 2, 1937, by the U.S. Army. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment began guarding the Tomb April 6, 1948.
The Corsairs visited the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame is a presidential memorial at the gravesite of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The permanent site replaced a temporary grave and eternal flame used during President Kennedy’s funeral on November 25, 1963.