Homeward Bound

November 27, 2011:

Our Hot Brown

Trip to Blandwood

Greensboro, NC, November 26, 2011: We traveled to Greensboro to tour Blandwood. As we entered the city, we came upon a group of Patriot Guard Riders at the funeral of a fallen service member.

Blandwood is the 19th century home of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead and the earliest Tuscan Villa in the United States. It's obscurity may be due to the misguided prohibition of photography inside the mansion.








































The first Christmas display of the season:

Black Friday

November 25, 2011: We found a quiet oasis among the shopping masses in Chapel Hill and Durham.

Thanksgiving

Fearrington Village NC, November 24, 2011:

Marine Band Celebrates Sousa Birthday

November 6, 2011: Every year, the "President's Own" Marine Band lays a wreath at the grave of John Philip Sousa, its most famous director. It's an easy way to hear the band and, apart from the Star Spangled Banner, the program is all Sousa!

The band director (r) awaits the band; the drum major confers in advance (below):

Commandant of the Marine Corps and Mrs. James F. Amos seated with the official Sousa reenactor:


An unofficial Sousa reenactor haunts the proceedings (l); the official Sousa reenactor haunts the grave (below):


















Congressional Cemetery was the national burying place before Arlington National Cemetery.

Among the many historic graves are a soldier of the Revolutionary War (l), the Civil War photographer Mathew Brady and members of the Indian Nations:





















The grave of Elbridge Gerry (r), who signed the Declaration of Independence, served as the fifth Vice President of the United States and is the namesake for gerrymandering:

The grave of Commerce Secretary Bob Mosbacher (r): HE CARED.
















Congressional Cemetery is a favorite burial ground for gay notables and couples:

J. Edgar Hoover and his boyfriend Clyde Tolson share a row with gay veteran Leonard Matlovich, "They gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."