Blackwater by Bicycle

Sunday at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

...So it was Sunday morning - and I ventured off with a few friends for a spin around Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. I hadn't been to Blackwater in probably 25 years - and mostly it was unchanged. We rode 27 miles - the weather was cool - and the wind was brisk. I am in the middle of the group photo in the very yellow jacket.

SECTION 60

Have you seen the HBO special “Section 60”?

I had not seen it before I found myself wandering through that portion of Arlington National Cemetery last Saturday. I had joined a Smithsonian tour of the cemetery and a gentleman on the tour was telling me about an HBO documentary about Section 60 – called the most tragic acre of land – the final resting place of so many young men and women who fought and died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The tour of the cemetery, lead by a really wonderful Washington Guide, Jennie Fogel, took us to some famous landmarks. Jennie was like a walking encyclopedia and had stories, dates, and interesting tidbits to offer throughout the tour. She stopped at the Tomb of the Unknowns and left us to watch the changing of the guard. Having been there only a week before, I left for a hike to Section 60.

Unlike other parts of the cemetery – this section was alive with living, breathing and grieving people. Most of the cemetery is little more than rows and rows of granite headstones; Section 60 has families, children, flowers, little rocks on headstones and for me a feeling of despair. Why this war? Why these children? So many Why’s – and no good answers.

Section 60 is a statement of our times… and a sad and devistating statement. If you get a chance - watch the HBO documentary, it will break your heart. Walking through Section 60 left me sad, brokenhearted, and angry.