Taking its name, by way of a colonial church that was erected on its future site, from a Hebrew phrase meaning "The Place of Kindness", Bethesda, Maryland, is today host to a number of esteemed medical institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the National Naval Medical Center. Due to its proximity to Washington D.C., this Montgomery County city of 57,000 has also attracted several defense contractors and important government agencies over the decades, including those that are entrusted with safeguarding America's interests in the air, at sea, and in space. Along with the critical role it plays in both national affairs and the protection of the general health of the populace, Bethesda has also developed a residential culture that is known for its extreme degree of professionalism and intelligence. Indeed, Forbes has described this town of quant Federal style houses as "the most educated small town in America" and further classified it as the "second greatest place to live" in the country. As a center of research and business, Bethesda has also naturally developed a vibrant commercial culture and, indeed, the Bethesda Row shopping district is defined by its many upscale boutiques and restaurants. Likewise, the city's connection to both the urbane U.S. capital and surrounding, picturesque Maryland countryside can be experienced by any rollerblader, runner, or cyclist who chooses to spend an afternoon enjoying the restored Capital Crescent Trail, a shared-use path that has been developed from a 19th Century Baltimore & Ohio rail line. Snaking through historic neighborhoods and across archaic rail bridges and canals, this popular trail serves as but one of the many scenic outlets afforded to Bethesda's active and healthy population. It also acts a reminder of the great struggles and heroic sagas the people of this area have witnessed over the generations, as many of the most important episodes in American history, from the War of Independence to the Civil War and beyond, have played out before its mixture of traditional homes and estates. Whether a doctor, scientist, or someone who is employed in the continuing defense of the nation, anyone who chooses to make Bethesda their home can have the satisfaction of knowing that they are now part of this brave history.