Youth Tour Day 5-June 15, 2010

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. They enlisted Devin to be a Three Star General and help them with their practice. 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. We also had perfect timing this year and walked up just as a wreath ceremony was beginning at the Tomb of the Unknowns. After a quick lunch, we toured the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Monument, Vietnam Veterans 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. We spent the evening dining and shopping at the Pentagon City Mall, and then we returned to the Monuments to finish seeing the FDR Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.
Here’s what today’s bloggers had to say:

Kayleigh is Beaureguard’s delegate:
Her favorite part of the day was the Vietnam War Memorial. Ever since I was little I’ve wanted to go. Now I have!
Her least favorite part of the day was all the walking.
Today’s activities taught Kayleigh that the guards who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers are very precise and very honorable.
Kayleigh would like to say to her loved ones back home I love you all and the sites are amazing!
Kayleigh also recommends that everyone visiting Washington, D.C. should tour the Vietnam Wall.

CJ is ALEC’s delegate:
His favorite part of the day was going through the Holocaust Museum with a German exchange student and got see how the war affected the Jews and Germans on a deeper level.
His least favorite part of the day was nothing really. None of it was bad.
Today’s activities taught CJ that according to the people from Utah, we sound like we are all from Australia.
CJ would like to say to his loved ones back home…Do I have to come back home now, Mom?

Bucky is Claiborne’s delegate:
His favorite part of the day was going to the Holocaust Museum and hangin out with all the new friends I have made.
His least favorite part of the day was that we had to walk too much and I took a sip of tea from one of the places we ate and it just ruined my day.
Today’s activities taught Bucky so much at the Holocaust. It was the most interesting thing we’ve been to so far.
Bucky would like to say to his loved ones back home that I miss my family and give a thanks to Claiborne Electric for sending me on this trip.
Bucky also wish the cooking in DC was better!!! 

Hannah is DEMCO’s delegate:
Her favorite part of the day was the Marines!!! 
Her least favorite part of the day is being sleep deprived…incessantly.
Today’s activities taught Hannah that she is blessed to have made really good and caring friends here. I love you!
Hannah would like to say to her loved ones back home that I’ll apply for American citizenship :-p
Okay. Von hier an schreibe is in Deutsch. Dieser Trip ist der absolute Wahnsinn. Jugendeiche aus ganz Amerike zu treffen ist hochinteressant Washington, D.C. eine tolle stadt und meine Freunde hier machen mich gluecklich  Danlce fuer alles. (The Editor of the blog apologizes if this is wrong…I do not speak German so I have no ideas what I typed and if it is correct!)
Here is Hannah’s translation of the above message: Okay. From now on, I’ll write in German: This trip is absolutely amazing. Meeting people from all over the US is really interesting. Washington, DC is a great city and my friends here make me happy. Thank you for everything.
P.S. I forgive you, Mr. Rick!

To view our pictures from today go to the link below. New photos will be posted each night.
Photo Gallery: http://youthtour.smugmug.com/2010-Youth-Tour