Granted, the occupants of my vehicle had the NOPD, LAPD and DC Metro PD as a basis for comparison,…read morebut the Pentagon Police rank up there with SFPD. Professional, diligent, courteous. Unlike some "other" departments, they apparently don't feel the need to strip search you, treat you like a terrorist, or even give you the $110 ticket when stopped for a "minor" traffic infraction. they even gave us directions and joked about how drunk my friend was at the time and how I really should have him take a shower. Ah, good times. Not "Super Trooper" good, but good.

Friendly guys and always willing to help, but don't get caught in their speed trap all around The…read morePentagon Reservation. The sign says 25mph... stick to 28mph and below! Don't get nervous if you're followed at night... they're just making sure that you don't go somewhere you're not permitted. Yes, they know who belongs in certain areas after hours and who doesn't. When you're rolling down 395 or 110, there's a reason blue lights flash at night around The Pentagon! As Jake K. says... these guys are well accustomed to dealing with the public, so you will not find any maniac cops on the force.

I must say, things have changed significantly with this building over the years and since the last…read moretime I've been here. I came for jury duty and although I didn't get selected (bummer...lol), I really enjoyed my time here. Since it was kind of an all day event. I had a chance to walk around and tour....well wander the building. There are definitely a lot of changes and upgrades made to this building for the better. The newly renovated jury duty space and lounge is a great addition to this courthouse building. And, definitely a step up from the old, archaic wood and dated spaces and rooms of the past. Here for jury duty. Kind of an all day thing, so was able to look around a little. The 4th level, where the potential jurors wait, is an open space with a glass ceiling and a little viewing garden area. The juror lounge and waiting room is located on this floor. It is a large wide-open space that is very comfortable and filled with plenty of chairs and a few tables to wait out the time. There''s also plenty of outlets around and WiFi to stay connected while waiting your time out as a Juror or waiting to be called. This is perfect for those needing to handling work while waiting or buy the time. And, believe me you will have plenty of time to spare as part of your jury duty. So I advise that you bring something to read, your phone, iPad or even a laptop....as to these items are allowed. There's also little cafeteria downstairs on C level that has some decent coffee, desserts, and some handhelds/quiches. It has a Starbuck's vibe and more charging areas/wall outlets there for use. In all, a nice building and very accommodating for those having to take time out of their day for jury service duties. Not that I'm interested in coming back....I still give this place a Thumbs Up for the overall experience today. Yelp Elite Tip: Arrive early! The parking is a beast and hard to find. Also, no photography in the building and no phone calls in the waiting room....ignore my pictures taken...teehee ;) Security is monitor the floors and there are cameras everywhere!

Standing uncovered in a torrential rainstorm for 30 minutes to check in for jury duty is a horrible…read moreway to treat anyone. Build a cover!

My review for National Archives is solely based on digitalized search records as ulterior motive…read morefor genealogy research or ancestry records retainment. I personally find familial history and records fascinating including oral history. I plan to sustained these military records perpetually. I sorrowfully wished I have driving skills enabling car ownership to make the long-haul trek to this federal archival material data files record keeper office at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740 from New York City as I would search deeper obtaining more information. National Archives' website has painstaking digitalized and categorized military personnel records by all military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It is all personal to me as a next of kin seeking my beloved family member who was a U.S. Army veteran. Searches are further categorized by war periods dating back 250 years American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, World War II including later wars and conflicts Korean War and Vietnam War. Oh! I am highly impressed that U.S. military personnel records dating 250 years are maintained and retained perpetually because my search is dating 83 years ago as it is not in recent years. My online search is very gruesome, daunting, extensive time consuming with high level of patience tolerance as there are many, many layered links and sub-links in a national centralized database. Links take users to more links and further complicated specified links. The records or biographical information are mostly abbreviated as "19" for birth year rather than year 1919 and does not explain rank, title, grade, grade code military jargon or military codes in everyday ordinary civilian language. The DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or "Discharge from Active Duty," is the official discharge paper and Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) which can also be obtained either online or mail. My data search encountered United States, Army Enlistment Records and Flexoline Index Database, by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) under Department of Justice originated the Alien Registration Act of 1940 which I did successfully achieved basic biographical results from both file units. Further document requests can be obtain by submitting requests either online or U.S. mail for fees as draft registration cards and Records of the Selective Service. National Archives is a federal government official record keeper. These were service members who have names. They are significantly more than Army Serial Number. They lived and served. They have narratives. They are still loved, honored, celebrated and remembered.

Knowing history gives us a sense of perspective. If you think you have it tough, read history…read morebooks. We'd obtained the necessary advance tickets when I was last there in 2013 for further family research. I've done virtual visits there since then. This College Park, Maryland location is Archives II, which is solely a research facility. Archive I is in Washington, DC, which I'd previously reviewed at https://www.yelp.com/biz/national-archives-and-records-administration-washington. I have no complaints. The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent Federal agency of the United States government within the Executive Branch. It's charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. Employees here certainly try to be helpful. Be aware that there are "millions of records, documents, photographs, maps, decrees, charters, videos" so impossible for employees to be an expert on all of them. So, do as much research before visiting so you have something to help you to find what you're looking for. If you are a History Addict such as myself, resist the temptation to read all that cool history that passes before your eyes here or you will never find out what you specifically came to find. The security procedures are different at each National Archives location based on many factors, including function and size of the facility, and are subject to change without notice. Rules can even change from floor to floor and employee to employee. Resistance is futile. When entering National Archives facilities, you must provide valid photographic identification and are subject to inspection upon entering, anytime while there and exiting. Just like at most IRS building, your id may be scanned as you travel from floor to floor. You are very limited on what you can bring in with you, Weapons are prohibited. There are a lot of security guards. If you have a heart pacemaker or other medical device that might be disrupted by the magnetometer (or give a false reading), ask to be screened with a hand-held wand. Surgical implants set off the security machines. If you have surgical implants, bring documentation of them from your doctor with you. On-site parking is limited. Any papers you are allowed to bring in are required to be first approved and then stamped / Permitted. Phones, their cases, and computers cases are prohibited. Computers require a previously obtained Permit. Recommend putting your stuff in clear plastic bags. Large or bulky clothes, hats, even some boots, prohibited due to previous thefts, hence why some requests come back as "unavailable". Has a cafeteria on the ground floor. Has specific times you can make a request to "Pull" an item. Be prepared that it can take a while to fulfill your request, it may be fulfilled damaged, and that it may not even be fulfilled due to previous thefts. There is a cost to get copies of anything. On this day in history 31 December: 1775 - George Washington ordered his recruiters to accept Blacks into the Army. Standing shoulder to shoulder, an ethnically diverse soldiery formed. From free and enslaved Blacks, to Native Americans, native born colonists, to foreign recruits, to women, Washington's integrated Army was a diverse fighting force for the long and grueling eight-year war. One of the most famous units was the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The Rhode Island Assembly decreed on 14 February 1778, to allow, "every slave, so enlisting, shall upon his passing muster before Col. Christopher Greene, be immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress; and be absolutely FREE, as though he had never been encumbered with any Kind of Servitude or Slavery." The integrated Army in the American War For Independence was shamefully the last integrated American military until 26 July 1948 (WWII ended 2 September 1945), when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order banning segregation in the US Armed Forces. For it is essential that there be maintained in the Armed Services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who Serve in our country's defense. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt had responded to complaints about discrimination at home against African Americans by issuing Executive Order 8802 in June 1941. It directed that Black Americans be accepted into job-training programs in defense plants, forbid discrimination by defense contractors and established a Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) to enforce the policy. Truman had previously appointed the first African-American judge to the Federal bench, and named several other African-Americans to high-ranking administration positions.

My friend and I had the opportunity to visit the Haitain Embassy as part of DC Embassy Day. This…read morewas by far the most beautiful Embassy I have been inside of yet! It has multiple floors but we had access to the first 2. Immediately upon walking in we were greeted by Haitian rum. Yes please! Then when you proceeded to the second floor the music was blasting and there were multiple vendors with products. The artwork was beautiful as well and scattered on all the walls. We were also welcomed by a very friendly gentleman who may have been the ambassador. Upon exiting in the courtyard there was various types of Haitain food for sale so we grabbed a to go plate and was on our merry way. Definitely recommend you visiting during the next available opportunity.

This was one of my favorite embassies during Passport DC. After getting stamped, we were given…read moresamples of Haitian rum punch. It was one of the smoothest ones I had during the day. As I walked upstairs to the vendor area, the artwork throughout the embassy was stunning. I've always admired Haitian art, as my parents have a couple of pieces as well. I tried a couple of hot sauces with pastry shells while listening to Kompa tunes.

Summer Garden Party at the French Embassy (DC)…read more The skies opened up with a huge monsoon like downpour, around 6 PM. The early access entry to the party, started at 7 PM and general admission at 8 PM. Good wine, food and music were anticipated by one and all attendees. A crowd of beautifully dressed and adorned guests awaited their turn to enjoy the fun and excitement, awaiting us on an official French soil reached after you went through security. It's a lovely and large complex in Upper North West, Washington, DC, very close to Georgetown University. As you entered, you came to a charming open courtyard on the right side of the guard room, with a beautiful golden statue and fountain. There's a few tents setup with some of the best food and wine offerings. The rosè and champagne, had their very own tent. The libations were free-flowing and made for a very pleasant, gracious and friendly atmosphere. French Baguette, a local DC based restaurant with French roots, offered their various crogels and quiche. Indoors, they had bread, ham, cheese and vegetables platters. Also, an ice cream machine and a crêpes station. While outside, a singer and piano player provided melodic notes to set the mood. It was an event you had to pay for in order to attend, it was something everyone should, as a Greater Washington DC resident should attend at least once.

If you have business with the French govt then this is the place to come. Visas etc…read more across from Georgetown U hospital. Parking on the street. Lots of traffic and takes time to get here and in. More security here than in smaller embassies. Once inside-the architecture is amazing. Artwork and photos are incredible. Rooms flow nicely for entertaining. Wine tastings work well here. Receptions give people Lots to Look at and talk about. They do run out of plates and glasses. Food is usually short of what you want so plan for a higher number of attendees.