Skip to main content

Absolon Kent
 

Modern Military Aviation Gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Modern Military Aviation Gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

WASHINGTON — Last night, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum held an event celebrating the reopening of the museum’s Modern Military Aviation Gallery. It was a great opportunity to explore an important chapter of aviation and military history while celebrating the people, technology, and innovations that have shaped modern military aviation.

The gallery offers a compelling look at the evolution of military airpower, the aircraft and technologies that changed the course of history, and, most importantly, the service members whose courage, dedication, and sacrifice are woven into these stories.

0 stars 0 comments

Absolon Kent
 

Washington Commanders Salute to Service and John Riggins Jersey Retirement Ceremony

Washington Commanders Salute to Service and John Riggins Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Washington Commanders Salute to Service and John Riggins Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Washington Commanders Salute to Service and John Riggins Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Washington Commanders Salute to Service and John Riggins Jersey Retirement Ceremony

LANDOVER, Md. — Sunday's Commanders home game featured the NFL's Salute to Service tribute, honoring members and veterans of the United States military, along with the halftime retirement of No. 44, the jersey worn by Washington Redskins legend John Riggins.

The day included a pregame brunch honoring veterans, a military flyover, delivery of the game ball by the U.S. Army Golden Knights, and a halftime jersey retirement ceremony accompanied by a flag-raising tribute.

0 stars 0 comments

Absolon Kent
 

“Revealing the Hidden” at the Museum of the Bible

“Revealing the Hidden” at the Museum of the Bible
“Revealing the Hidden” at the Museum of the Bible
“Revealing the Hidden” at the Museum of the Bible
“Revealing the Hidden” at the Museum of the Bible

WASHINGTON — Last night, we attended a special preview of “Revealing the Hidden” at the Museum of the Bible. The evening offered a wonderful opportunity to experience this beautiful new exhibit, featuring 24 remarkable icons that showcase the exquisite artistry and craftsmanship of workshops in Thessaloniki, Constantinople, and Patmos. It was also an opportunity to appreciate the beauty, history, creativity, and spiritual significance reflected in these extraordinary works of art.

0 stars 0 comments

Absolon Kent
 

Cross Keys Battlefield

Cross Keys Battlefield

PORT REPUBLIC, Va. — Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Cross Keys Battlefield near Port Republic preserves the landscape where history unfolded more than 160 years ago.

On June 8, 1862, this area was the site of the Battle of Cross Keys, an important engagement during Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The battle was part of a series of military engagements that helped shape the course of the Valley Campaign during the Civil War.

Standing in a place where thousands of soldiers once marched and fought is a reminder of just how much of our nation's story is preserved in the landscapes around us. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the events, decisions, and human experiences that shaped this chapter of American history.

0 stars 0 comments

Absolon Kent
 

Ravensworth — A Civil War Temporary Safe Haven in Annandale, Virginia

Ravensworth — A Civil War Temporary Safe Haven in Annandale, Virginia
Ravensworth — A Civil War Temporary Safe Haven in Annandale, Virginia
Ravensworth — A Civil War Temporary Safe Haven in Annandale, Virginia

ANNANDALE, Va. — At an ordinary intersection I drive through regularly, a historical marker tells a fascinating Civil War story involving Robert E. Lee’s family, military occupation, and a daring band of Confederate Rangers.

The historic Ravensworth marker in Annandale, Virginia, tells the story of Ravensworth, the home of Anna Maria Fitzhugh. Built around 1796, the mansion later provided a temporary safe haven for Mary Randolph Custis Lee, the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.

As the war unfolded, Ravensworth found itself caught between two armies. The property endured military occupation, the seizure of resources, and the challenges of living so close to the nation’s capital during a time of deep division. Confederate Major John S. Mosby and his Rangers even slept in a haystack on the property in 1863. The historic home ultimately burned in 1926.

Standing at this marker today, amid the everyday activity of Northern Virginia, I’m reminded of how much history lies along our daily routes. The past isn’t always found in museums or preserved buildings—sometimes, it’s right beside a busy road.

0 stars 0 comments