Where is the Klan? Here Alan Here!

Having lived and worked inside the Washington Beltway for 34 years, we know where some of the many skeletons are buried.

Congressman Alan Grayson (D - Fla) is determined to identify Ku Klux Klan connections, it is Tea Partiers he says.

Route to actual KKK member -- Capitol is A, Constitution
Ave. is B., Roosevelt Bridge is C, Columbia Gardens is D.

Let me help straighten this out. Representative Grayson, you don't have to go far to find what you are looking for. Drive down from the Capitol along Constitution Avenue and across Roosevelt Bridge, staying on Route 50 by taking the Arlington Boulevard exit. Three and one-half miles beyond the bridge, just before the Glebe Road exit, take a hard right into Columbia Gardens Cemetery, where you can find what you are looking for. Inside the grounds, take a left at the t-intersection, and there it will be at the y-intersection, dead ahead. You can't miss it.

Photograph courtesy of Grady Foster

Robert Byrd was a Democrat who represented West Virginia in the U.S. Congress for more than 50 years. During much of that time he was minority leader and then majority leader of the U.S. Senate. Robert Byrd filibustered against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Robert Byrd was a card carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan. There's your man Representative Grayson. Senator Byrd loved his dog. 

After you visit, please do let us know if anyone has gotten around to filling in the date beyond the dash. An updated picture of the black granite monument would be most appreciated. We like keeping up with changes in the old 'hood.

Byrd grave site. Representative Grayson can even take the bus.