Arlington National Cemetery was a somber tour as everyone began to think of all the brave soldiers who have fought and died for our country and its citizens. Rows after rows of white markers in straight lines from which ever angle you can look. Then from earlier wars, the markers are various sizes and shapes and much larger.
We hiked up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and saw part of the changing of the guard which occurs every 30 minutes in spring and summer. We had watched a video on the bus about the how the guard is chosen and the responsibilities it requires of the guard. We stayed for the next change to see the whole process which included an on-site inspection of the new and old guards, their weapons, and their march. A lot of synchronized heel-clicking was involved...quite impressive. A middle school placed a wreath at the Tomb and Taps was played...brought tears to many eyes.
A most proud moment for our teachers was as we exited the Tomb area, an Honor Flight of WWII veterans were being wheeled and escorted in, and many of our students stepped over to them to shake their hands and to thank them for their service to our country. I am blessed to teach such respectful and kind students!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chiefs in the White House
What an exciting morning we had today! After a bumper to bumper ride into DC from our hotel with the bus driver worried to death about getting us to our appointment on time, we arrived without a moment to spare at the White House security gates. I have to pause here to say that everyone who knew we had a White House appointment wanted to know "who we knew" as only a few groups are being allowed to tour...only one other group yesterday! Thank you Mrs. Paige Smith who was an aide to Senator Shelby in her beginning professional days...she got the ball rolling at the beginning of school in August and it was his office who was able to schedule it for us. The students will be writing Senator Shelby on Monday to thank him for this once-in-a-lifetime experience and I hope some parents will too.
Security was a breeze except for Evan Faircloth...for some reason they pulled him to the side and he had to give name, date of birth, and home city and state which was punched into a computer before he was "cleared". We couldn't take anything in...cell phones, bags, purses, nothing. So though we took no pictures, to be inside the East Room, the State Dining Room, the Green, Red, and Blue Rooms, to see the Cross and Entry Halls where President Obama addressed the nation about Bin Laden a few weeks ago was impressive. To be on the inside looking out on the front lawn is indescribable.
One interesting moment and in drastic contrast to our students, another group who was touring at the same time was scolded and warned by the security guard in one of the rooms that the actions they had just committed (kicking and shoving each other) could be prosecuted under federal statute as assault and that they were being disrepectful of the House in which they stood!! Our students were appropriately impressed by the guard, ashamed of the students from the other school, and will be long remembered by all!
As we reluctantly exited the White House and finally the grounds, we were able to stand on Pennsylvania Avenue and take pictures from the outside.
Security was a breeze except for Evan Faircloth...for some reason they pulled him to the side and he had to give name, date of birth, and home city and state which was punched into a computer before he was "cleared". We couldn't take anything in...cell phones, bags, purses, nothing. So though we took no pictures, to be inside the East Room, the State Dining Room, the Green, Red, and Blue Rooms, to see the Cross and Entry Halls where President Obama addressed the nation about Bin Laden a few weeks ago was impressive. To be on the inside looking out on the front lawn is indescribable.
One interesting moment and in drastic contrast to our students, another group who was touring at the same time was scolded and warned by the security guard in one of the rooms that the actions they had just committed (kicking and shoving each other) could be prosecuted under federal statute as assault and that they were being disrepectful of the House in which they stood!! Our students were appropriately impressed by the guard, ashamed of the students from the other school, and will be long remembered by all!
As we reluctantly exited the White House and finally the grounds, we were able to stand on Pennsylvania Avenue and take pictures from the outside.
An Evening with the Monuments
Monday night we had an evening tour with the Monuments on the Mall. We started with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which includes the wall with the names of the soldiers who either died in the War or are missing in action from the War, a statue of the women who served and died during the War, and a statue of the soldiers. A proud moment happened for Jack Myers-Hulsey who looked up a relative's name in one of the listing books and was able to find it engraved on the wall.
Next we visited the Korean Veterans Memorial which is an awe-inspiring representation of stainless steel, larger-than-life replicas of American soldiers walking into the unknown with looks of fear and uncertainty on their faces. Daniel Moshell said he didn't like this Memorial because of the looks on the soldiers' faces...the artist did an superb job in portraying the intensity of the Korean War.
The Lincoln Memorial was our next stop and the students enjoyed seeing the two sides of Lincoln in the single memorial...the relaxed side, hand unclenched and leg in a sitting position and the ready for war side, hanc clenched and leg ready to stand up to fight. As we waited for night to fall, it was beautiful to see the monuments light up...the Lincoln on one end and the Washington on the other. Unfortunately for us, the Reflecting Pool has been drained for refurbishing, but that gives something else to come back to see on another trip!
Our last stop for the evening was the World War II Memorial which is breath-taking at night as well with water fountains flowing and each state column being lit for night. Seeing the Wall of Stars which represents the number of soldiers who died during the War was sobering. Being in between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial was a tremendous experience.
But, there are 34 very tired travellers...we headed to the hotel and no one had trouble going to bed Monday night after a busy first day in our nation's capital city.
( We are taking lots of pictures, but it drains my battery to post using wi-fi. I will post pictures later.)
Next we visited the Korean Veterans Memorial which is an awe-inspiring representation of stainless steel, larger-than-life replicas of American soldiers walking into the unknown with looks of fear and uncertainty on their faces. Daniel Moshell said he didn't like this Memorial because of the looks on the soldiers' faces...the artist did an superb job in portraying the intensity of the Korean War.
The Lincoln Memorial was our next stop and the students enjoyed seeing the two sides of Lincoln in the single memorial...the relaxed side, hand unclenched and leg in a sitting position and the ready for war side, hanc clenched and leg ready to stand up to fight. As we waited for night to fall, it was beautiful to see the monuments light up...the Lincoln on one end and the Washington on the other. Unfortunately for us, the Reflecting Pool has been drained for refurbishing, but that gives something else to come back to see on another trip!
Our last stop for the evening was the World War II Memorial which is breath-taking at night as well with water fountains flowing and each state column being lit for night. Seeing the Wall of Stars which represents the number of soldiers who died during the War was sobering. Being in between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial was a tremendous experience.
But, there are 34 very tired travellers...we headed to the hotel and no one had trouble going to bed Monday night after a busy first day in our nation's capital city.
( We are taking lots of pictures, but it drains my battery to post using wi-fi. I will post pictures later.)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Welcome to Washington, DC
Our first stop on our itinerary is the U. S. Capitol. We arrived on time and again made it through security. We had a few minutes to be in the visitor center before viewing a short video about the Capitol. We received a headset to wear to hear our tour guide because the rooms a so large as well as the crowd so the guide's voice gets lost easily. We went to the Crypt Room where Washington was to be buried but was not since the building was not completed before his death and he also wished to be buried at Mount Vernon. It is marked be a 13 point star in the floor which is also the center of Washington DC and is the point from where everthing else in DC is measured and laid out as a city. Then we went into the Rotunda to see the magnificent paintings surrounding the walls with many of the statues from the states of which each state provides two. Alabama's are ________________Wheeler (can't remember first name) and Helen Keller as a child. Other statues are commissioned by Congress such as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s. We saw where bodies "lie in state" and "line in honor". The frescoe painting in the dome is beautiful. Then on into Statuary Hall where many other statues are located as well as the "Whispering Spot" and where bronze floor plates mark where President's desks sat when they were in Congress as Senators or Representatives. The kids loved it and I was proud as they answered all the questions the guide asked them!
We then proceeded to the Library of Congress. Though tourists can't go into the actual rooms of books, we did get to see the Jefferson collection which was purchased to begin the Library. Beautiful architecture and artwork in this building as well. But as the kids are now approaching empty stomachs and tired feet and legs, I'm afraid some of it's beauty was lost to them!! We are now looking for any and every opportunity to sit down!
We then proceeded to the Library of Congress. Though tourists can't go into the actual rooms of books, we did get to see the Jefferson collection which was purchased to begin the Library. Beautiful architecture and artwork in this building as well. But as the kids are now approaching empty stomachs and tired feet and legs, I'm afraid some of it's beauty was lost to them!! We are now looking for any and every opportunity to sit down!
Atlanta to Baltimore
So sorry I couldn't blog last night. Our hotel doesn't have wi-fi but our bus does! Who knew a bus could have wi-fi?
The experience going through the Atlanta airport couldn't have been better! Everyone was packed correctly, nothing was confiscated, and no one lost their boarding passes. The process went similarly to what we had discussed in class so the students were comfortable with all of that. We looked like professional travelers as I stood about 2/3 of the way through the group and watched our kids walking in pairs with our blue and orange backpacks are pulling their suitcases. I was so proud of them!
The flight couldn't have been a better experience for our first time flyers. Other than a little delay on the runway, the take off, the time in the air, and the landing were great! Alll of the flight attendants were complimentary of the students' behavior and helpfulness to each other. The 8th grade did a fabulous job of assisting the 5th graders with lunch.
Arrived at the terminal and met our wonderful tour guide, Cheryl McDonald. She is a Bostonian with a accent of the same. The kids have enjoyed being with her and she is amazed at the kids' behavior, respect, and punctuality they have exhibited. She assures me that not all of her groups receive this kind of description!
The experience going through the Atlanta airport couldn't have been better! Everyone was packed correctly, nothing was confiscated, and no one lost their boarding passes. The process went similarly to what we had discussed in class so the students were comfortable with all of that. We looked like professional travelers as I stood about 2/3 of the way through the group and watched our kids walking in pairs with our blue and orange backpacks are pulling their suitcases. I was so proud of them!
The flight couldn't have been a better experience for our first time flyers. Other than a little delay on the runway, the take off, the time in the air, and the landing were great! Alll of the flight attendants were complimentary of the students' behavior and helpfulness to each other. The 8th grade did a fabulous job of assisting the 5th graders with lunch.
Arrived at the terminal and met our wonderful tour guide, Cheryl McDonald. She is a Bostonian with a accent of the same. The kids have enjoyed being with her and she is amazed at the kids' behavior, respect, and punctuality they have exhibited. She assures me that not all of her groups receive this kind of description!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Made it to Atlanta
All of my "chicks" have made it to the hotel safely and are in their rooms. Excitement abounds and I hope they can get a little sleep tonight! We have such a long day tomorrow. A few have started expressing their anxiety about flying; for some it is their first time, but for others, it is not but is the first without a parent with them. Growing up can be a little worrisome but to see them come out on the other side beaming because they "did it" makes everything worth while.
Thanks to the parents who drove us here to Atlanta--RayeAnn Calton (who is having a little car trouble), David Johnston (who had to turn around to bring back my camera), Matt Williams, Travis Mullis, Dan Beaty, Mark Lynn, Sonya and Greg Nix, Jimmy and Melissa King, Sheila and Bo Weaver, Tammy Grubbs, Mike and Cindy Sanders, and Angel and Russell Bradshaw.
Pray things go smoothly in the morning as we wake up, transfer to the airport, and traverse through one of the busiest airports in world! Pray for health and safety for the week!
Thanks to the parents who drove us here to Atlanta--RayeAnn Calton (who is having a little car trouble), David Johnston (who had to turn around to bring back my camera), Matt Williams, Travis Mullis, Dan Beaty, Mark Lynn, Sonya and Greg Nix, Jimmy and Melissa King, Sheila and Bo Weaver, Tammy Grubbs, Mike and Cindy Sanders, and Angel and Russell Bradshaw.
Pray things go smoothly in the morning as we wake up, transfer to the airport, and traverse through one of the busiest airports in world! Pray for health and safety for the week!
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Final Countdown
Today was a very busy day for us teachers trying to tell our traveling students everything we needed to tell them! In addition to finalizing grades and honors day which is right after we return!
After speaking with our tour guide for the week, we altered the schedule for Saturday, May 21 instead of Shirley Plantation. She was telling me about the long wait to get into the Archives on a regular day; so after a little investigating, I made reservations for a timed-entry tour at the Archives on our return trip from Williamsburg back to the airport in Baltimore. The teachers agreed since we see historic homes on each of our trips, but there's only one place we can see the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights! What an amazing trip this is going to be...the US Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the charter documents of our country that make it all possible.
God Bless America!
After speaking with our tour guide for the week, we altered the schedule for Saturday, May 21 instead of Shirley Plantation. She was telling me about the long wait to get into the Archives on a regular day; so after a little investigating, I made reservations for a timed-entry tour at the Archives on our return trip from Williamsburg back to the airport in Baltimore. The teachers agreed since we see historic homes on each of our trips, but there's only one place we can see the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights! What an amazing trip this is going to be...the US Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the charter documents of our country that make it all possible.
God Bless America!
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