On the eve of one of the worst days in American history, I was curious as to what places you guys (and girls) think are "a must" to visit as an American. I've got 4, and I've been to them all. Pearl Harbor, 9/11 memorial, Washington D.C. Vietnam Memorial and Gettysburg Pennsylvania. All of these locations have caused me to shed a tear or two.

 

Are there any others?

Museum of American History. Must see the flag that inspired our National Anthem. They have a great exhibit around it now.

Might go shoot a few rounds off out of my Grandfathers service issued 1911 tomo. He was in WW2

Any grave of any U.S. soldier.

For anyone that had family come over ....... Ellis Island.

 

Years ago...... I went . I did a search and found the Log book of the ship my Grandfather came over on.... Saw his name and signature and all his brothers and sisters that came with him.....

 

Very powerful moment for me...... I broke down.....

 

I miss him dearly.....

Grand Canyon & Mount Rushmore! I cant imagine the view of the Presidents carved into the mountain.

Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell.

Went to Gettysburg College freshman year. The place has such an air to it, it's really incredible.

I would like to go to Pearl Harbor someday.

Normandy! I was there and it was amazing to see. We had a trip planned to dive some D-Day wrecks but the English Channel weather decided we weren't doing any diving that week. We spent a week there just exploring and it was an awesome trip. Kinda OT but my most powerful proud to be an American moment was when I was in the Navy stationed in Sicily. My going away present from my Italian friends was a personal tour of Italy. We were in a small town near Palermo and I was sitting in the town square talking with my Italian friends in English. An old man comes over and asks my friends "who is he?" They tell him that I am an American and getting ready to go back to the states after doing 3 years overseas. The old man starts crying and gives me a hug. He had a scar from ear to ear and told his story. In WWII he was part of the Italian resistance and was captured, a Nazi slit his throat and left him to die. An American medic found him and stitched him up and saved his life. I was the first American he had seen since the war. That was one of my most unforgettable moments in my life and makes you realize what we were fighting for.

Never forget the GI's out in the sandbox.

 

As some of you know I buried my dad with a military funeral recently.

 

When I went to thank the Honor Guard they asked "Was it your son?"

 

Just remember all the lives that are being lost and changed forever in the middle east.

 

 

Great ideas guys, and thanks for sharing that Frank.

On the eve of one of the worst days in American history, I was curious as to what places you guys (and girls) think are "a must" to visit as an American. I've got 4, and I've been to them all. Pearl Harbor, 9/11 memorial, Washington D.C. Vietnam Memorial and Gettysburg Pennsylvania. All of these locations have caused me to shed a tear or two.

 

Are there any others?

 

Hell yes. Arlington National Cemetery and the changing of the Guard.

 

Of the four you mentioned, I have been to two, I need to get to Gettysburg and the 9/11 memorial though I have driven by it many times in the past 2 years.

 

USS Arizona memorial was quite sobering. The Vietnam Vets memorial in Washington DC is just... well, there aren't words to describe the feelings.

 

For different reasons I want to yet see:

Mt Rushmore

Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon

Good suggestions all.

 

Consider a volunteer visit to any of the veteran's hospitals or homes. They do not want a big production but appreciate very much simple things like a card game, checkers, read a book for them, etc.

Good suggestions all.

 

Consider a volunteer visit to any of the veteran's hospitals or homes. They do not want a big production but appreciate very much simple things like a card game, checkers, read a book for them, etc.

 

 

I use to visit the one is del. also I helped out on 2 yearly trips. One was deep sea fishing off cape may an the other lake fishing at lake salvestro is gibbstown. The lake one was hard work setting up plywood around a lake for wheel chairs but worth every minute of it. The trip kinda phased out though. It's a shame

Hell yes. Arlington National Cemetery and the changing of the Guard.

 

Of the four you mentioned, I have been to two, I need to get to Gettysburg and the 9/11 memorial though I have driven by it many times in the past 2 years.

 

USS Arizona memorial was quite sobering. The Vietnam Vets memorial in Washington DC is just... well, there aren't words to describe the feelings.

 

 

I've been to DC and saw everything there, including the changing of the guard at Arlington. That's a good one too.

Personally I think taking your familiy to a Memorial Day or Veteran's Day parade instead of a barbecue should be done. The local vets that get out and march like to think people are remembering them by actually showing up to watch.

I've been to all the beaches at Normandy, and the cemetary there. Pretty awe inspiring. Changing of the guard @ arlington is another powerfull place/event. I would some day like to go to pearl harbor

Gettysburg is a truly awe inspiring place.

 

 

Harpers Ferry is another good one, as well as the flight 93 memorial on the same road that runs you right through gettysburg.