Today we started our day after breakfast with photos at the Iwo Jima Memorial. While there we saw the Marine Corp band practicing for the sunset parade. Some Marines walked up to our group and invited us to sit in the VIP seats to watch their practice. That was a very special treat for everyone. Mrs. Kay our chaperone was asked to stand in for the General. Then it was off to Arlington Cemetery. What a beautiful and somber site. We took the tram tour and visited President Kennedy’s grave, General Lee’s home and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At the Tomb of the Unknown solider we watched the changing of the guard ceremony. It is amazing to watch those soldiers move with such precision to show honor and respect to our fallen. After the changing of the guard, we witnessed the laying of the wreath ceremony. There were two wreath ceremonies back to back and if that wasn’t special enough a funeral was going on at the same time. When they started playing taps for the wreath ceremony the 21 gun salute was being fired at the same time for a nearby funeral. You could feel the chills run down your spine. After a quick lunch at the Pentagon City Mall, we toured the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and Korean War Memorial. At the Holocaust Memorial Museum, we took a somber journey through the memorial. Each person was given a card with an individual’s story and at the end of the tour it was revealed whether your person lived or died. Then we toured Daniel’s story at the Holocaust Museum. Daniel’s story is about the holocaust experience through a child’s diary. The security guards at the museum reminded us how tough their week had been since the shooting of one of their fellow employees last week, and we expressed our sympathies to them as well. We ended our day back at the Pentagon City Mall dining and shopping.
Here’s what today’s bloggers have to say:
Emily is DEMCO’s delegate:
Her favorite part of the day was Arlington Cemetery and the Holocaust museum. She especially enjoyed all the trivia because she plans to be an American History and Math teacher.
Her least favorite part of the day was nothing. She loved spending the day touring DC and learning more about our nation’s capital.
Today’s activities taught Emily to be thankful after touring the Holocaust Museum. Arlington and the monuments made her respect the military and veterans in a whole different perspective. All Americans should be truly appreciative of what they have done for our country.
Emily would like to say to her loved ones back home she misses yall, but she’s having an awesome time. Thanks for you love and support. Emily would also like to thank DEMCO for letting her go on this Amazing trip and thanks to the chaperones for helping out. Thanks to Mrs. Sandy and Ms. Addie for organizing the trip.
Christian is PCEMC’s delegate:
Her favorite part of the day was watching the Marine Corps Band rehearse for their parade in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Her least favorite part of the day was a lot of walking.
Today’s activities taught Christian a deep respect for all the men and women who lost their lives in battle protecting our country.
Christian would like to say to her loved ones back home hello! See yall when she gets home. She has lots of pictures.
Jamie is SLECA’s delegate:
Her favorite part of the day was the Holocaust Museum.
Her least favorite part of the day was she really wished she would have had more time to visit the Jefferson Memorial.
Today’s activities taught Jamie to have a better understanding of what happened in the Holocaust. It was unbelievable to see how much the Jew’s lives changed after Germany took control.
Jamie would like to say to her loved ones back home that she’s having a lot of fun in Washington DC and she misses yall a lot. She hopes her loved ones can visit here one day. “I love you Aunt Melinda!”
To view our pictures from today go to the link below. We have 2 photo galleries one is from our Leadership Conference in March and the other is this week’s Youth Tour. New photos will be posted each night.
Photo Gallery: http://photos.youthtour.org/2009%20Youth%20Tour
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