I have been in Washington DC countless times. My job took me there regularly, and now that our grandkids (and their parents) live in nearby Maryland we visit frequently. But although I flew over it time and again, I had never visited Arlington National Cemetery. Until Monday.

It was Jeremy’s idea to stop there on the way to the airport after our weekend visit. Our grandchildren were in school and their mom had a full schedule, but he had the day off. So it was just the three of us. It was a bit like our travels with his brother, the Frugal Traveler, only a different son. Jeremy took charge and he was a super guide.

We didn’t have enough time there, but we did get to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy’s grave. Both sites left me feeling more emotional than I would have expected. The crowds of people paying their respect and the acres of graves left me with a pride for our country that has been missing for me in this political season.

The rest of our weekend visit was the usual non-stop fun, including a fantastic chili dinner made by Jeremy. When I asked him if he’d make his chili for one of our dinners when they come for Thanksgiving next month, he quickly said “yes” and then took it back. He is in the middle of a challenge to eat nothing that begins with each letter of the alphabet for 26 months to raise money for the Food Recovery Network, a student-led network that helps colleges distribute food that students don’t eat in their dining halls. It turns out that November is “c”. So, no chili this Thanksgiving. And for Jeremy, no cranberries.

If you’d like to contribute to the Food Recovery Network by sponsoring Jeremy’s alphabet food marathon, please go here to contribute.