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Health & Fitness

Take A Break From The Caribbean Cruise And The Mouse, Honor Our Veterans

Our Troops keep sacrificing, let's keep honoring them and visit our National Memorials. This can be a moving and meaningful trip for the entire family

Memorial day has just past and we have had our BBQ’s and parades but let us not forget the men and women we honor on this day. As a travel agent I recommend taking time away from the Caribbean cruises or Disney World and visit our United States Capital, Washington, DC. 

Please take some time to visit Arlington National Cemetery, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National World War II Memorial and the one close to my heart, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

In our country's turbulent times and our ongoing military actions in the Middle East regions that have brought our US casualties up to 4,204 since 2001, some of us are losing sight of our last large scale conflict- Vietnam.

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The official count of total US soldiers lost during Vietnam is 153,303 and you can find all these names etched in the looming black stone sunk into the National Mall.

Please check the National Park website for information about all the memorial parks in Washington at www.nps.gov

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If you go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial make sure you take advantage of all the insight, knowledge and personal experience of the National Park Volunteers (men and women in yellow).

Most of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Volunteers are combat veterans of this war. This generation of soldiers are still here to give first person accounts of this time in history.

Utilize these great volunteers who are extremely knowledgeable about “The Wall,” the War, and Washington. They will tell you many stories about the Wall, can tell you where to park, what good exhibits are open, or even where to get a good egg sandwich. Volunteers have hand held devices that can look up any name on the wall and escort you to the section; they will also help do a name rubbing if needed.

We have a great National Park Volunteer who is from Lacey Township, Michael Coale. He was a Vietnam combat soldier during 1967 to 1968 and now spends many holidays and weekends giving back again to his country in preserving this history. He also volunteers at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel.

Washington, DC is approximately 3 ½ hours from Lacey Township by car. This is a busy metropolitan area and parking is at a premium. I recommend using the efficient public transit system (DC Metrorail and Metro Bus); schedules for Metro can be found at www.wmata.com.  Private pay lots can be found downtown north of the National Mall and free parking is available but restricted to two hours.

Accommodations are plentiful and can be fit into most budgets. Utilize the reward and loyalty programs available through most hotel chains such as Marriot, Starwood, Hyatt, and Hilton.  You can pick your hotel according to what exhibits and places you would like to visit.

Washington, DC is a great destination for families, however summers get crowded and hot, a little bit hotter than Lacey so plan accordingly. Weekday travel is good to visit the memorials but you will hit the government and city workers around town.   

Memorial Day in Washington can be a moving experience but be prepared for higher security and larger crowds. If you walk around you can usually get a glimpse of the president somewhere, even him riding in his motorcade.

Our country just lost our last World War I doughboy so don’t let the opportunity pass to speak first hand with a Vietnam, World War II or Korean Conflict Veteran. Get down to Washington and speak with a National Park Volunteer and ask for Mike at “the Wall,” he would love to help.

Always book your travel with a travel agent. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about Washington, if I can’t answer your questions maybe my father the Vietnam Veteran can.

Oceans of Love, The traveling Mom of Palm Breezes Travel, a local travel agency, 908-705-0356.

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