Size - I was surprised by the sheer enormity of many of the buildings in our nation's capitol. Pictures gave me a sense of the grandness of these structures, but I wasn't prepared for the size. The Pentagon, for example, could fit the Capitol Building into any one of its five sides! And the Capitol is no dinky building!!
Honor - I've never really thought much about memorials - monuments and statues that remember some important person or event. But the memorials I visited in DC - the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, the Marines Memorial, the Washington Monument and many others are incredible structures that command reverence and elicit emotion. No expense was spared, no detail forgotten in the creation of these magnificant memorials. There is incredible meaning in these memorials, and I came away from each of them with a deeper sense of appreciation for those who are honored by them.
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| The WWII Memorial - Atlantic side. Note the size of the people on the left. |
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| The Lincoln Memorial |
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| The Vietnam War Memorial |
Footsteps - I don't know how else to say it, but there is something significant about knowing that I have walked the same path, or touched the same object, as important people before me. Walking to the balcony at Ford's Theater by the same staircase that Abraham Lincoln would have ascended on the last day of his life; touching the same stair railing at Mount Vernon that George Washington would have held as he went up to bed each night, and standing in the same room at the White House that President Obama just addressed the nation from a few minutes ago.
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| The White House |
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| The Presidential Box at Ford's Theater |
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| George and Martha Washington's Tomb |
Beauty - I keep returning to the architecture, but there is simply no way to overstate the beauty of these magnificant buildings.
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| The ceiling of the Capitol Rotunda |
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| The portico at Union Station |
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| The Library of Congress |
Sacrifice - Everywhere we went, we were reminded of the truth that freedom is not free. Four of our students were privileged to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, which was an incredibly moving ceremony.
Nurses - There are many reminders of the unsung role that nurses have played in our nation's freedom. I am proud to be in such a noble profession.
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| At the Nurses' Memorial |
Patriotism - No matter what your political persuasions, you can't help feeling patriotic after spending time in our nation's capitol. The evidence of our forefather's hard work to establish a very different type of government is everywhere. The reminders of what this nation has cost so many ignite a sense of pride along with a hefty dose of humility. We are blessed beyond measure.
Fun - Finally, remember that this was a 7th grade, spring break trip. I'm certain that the impressions recorded above were not shared by all of my 12 and 13-year-old friends. I can only hope that as they mature, the memories of this trip will take on deeper meaning. I know that Gary and Jan Busby, Junior High teachers who have coordinated this trip over over 20 years, believe that. I was impressed by the teachers who served as chaparones on the trip. They love 7th graders, and believe me, 7th graders are not always easy to love! I was fortunate that nobody got seriously ill on the trip. There was a steady stream of headaches and stomach aches, but generally nothing a couple of Advil or Tums couldn't handle. And lastly, it was a great time for me to see what a great young woman Hannah is. She was kind to all of the kids, no matter what social circle they were part of. She was generally well behaved (OK, a little silly now and then), and I was very proud of her. Actually, I was pretty proud of all the kids. We didn't lose anyone, and with 80 kids that's no small success.
1 comment:
Wow! you said all the things I thought when I went, and you did it so eloquently. I'm so glad to read your post, and was quite privileged to attend the DC trip with my daughter that year. I learned so much and was very moved at the immensity of the everything and all the details that were meaningful, but never noticed until they were pointed out to me.
Thank you for sharing.
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