I tend to have what some might say is a big reaction when visiting the graves of historical figures: Presidents, Founding Fathers, other American Revolution heroes. I guess the best way to describe my response is that I am in awe of the fact that their body is RIGHT THERE. I will never meet these people in person, but standing at their final resting places puts me within feet of them. Past experiences have had me gasping “Oh, my!” (John Adams and John Quincy Adams right next to each other in a small room in the basement of a church in Quincy, Massachusetts) and “He is in there,” said in a reverent hush, sometimes repeatedly (everyone).
While at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, both my husband and I were aware that seeing George’s burial location could be a doozy for me. Wanting to get it out of the way, for everyon’s sakes, Mister Rain suggested we go there before touring the main house and the museum. Following the signs, as we neared the brick tomb where he lay, my husband could see that we were about to find ourselves there. “Are you ready?,” he asked me.
Rounding the corner, I first took in the building, then moved my focus to what was on the other side of the closed gate.
“He is in there,” I said, loud enough for just Mister Rain to hear.
Constructed in 1831, there is a marble sarcophagus for George and another for Martha. You are not permitted to enter the structure, which is no doubt a good thing. It would have been too much, for me and everyone having to witness it. No, this was more than enough.
Because it is blue and that is the color that I can see, I had immediately noticed Washington’s Position Flag, blue with white stars. This flag flew wherever General Washington was, continuing to do so to this day.
A small crowd began to gather for a wreath-laying ceremony beginning soon. A few minutes later, a Mount Vernon associate unlocked and opened the gate, then asked for a veteran from the group of spectators to assist him. We all recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and George’s Prayer for the Country was read:
“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen”
The tears came, one from each eye, down each cheek. It was inevitable.
A few interesting facts. First, this was not George’s first resting place. He was originally buried at the Old Vault, but in his will, he directed the building of the new tomb where George and Martha are now.
OLD VAULT
Secondly, George requested that his burial take place at least three days after his death to prevent being buried alive, a common occurrence in the 18th century.
I uttered a final thank you to George before we continued our exploration of Mount Vernon. I did not say goodbye, for this man is with me . . . with all of us . . . every day that we live in America.
For other Mount Vernon stories:
Mount Vernon – His Home
#SisterRain #ALittleSightALotOfHeart #LegallyBlindWriter #USHistory #AmerianHistory #USA #America #UnitedStates #AmericanRevolution #GeneralWashington #PresidentWashington #GeorgeWashington #GWMountVernon
