Day #5 2016 Washington DC trip

Im not quite sure what we did to deserve it but we had yet another beautiful spring day to explore our nations Capitol.   We started out our day at the National Zoo and then visited the museum of Natural History.  Of course the Panda bears were the biggest draw at the zoo,  especially with the girls.

But the highlight of the day was our visit to Arlington National Cemetery.  Four of our students did a wonderful job representing St. Luke's by participating in the changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier. What an impressive ceremony to witness.

After the ceremony we visited the memorial dedicated the loss of the space shuttle's Columbia and Challenger.  We also made a stop and the memorial dedicated the men lost on the US battleship Maine.  The Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor in 1898 and provided the spark that forced the United States to declare war on Spain.  "Remember the Maine" was the rally cry of the day.

Then we walked over to the Arlington house which sets atop the hill overlooking the cemetery.  On the way we stopped at the grave of one particular solider, the " drummer boy from Chickamauga",  that rested near the apex of the hill.  His name was John Clem and Mr. Glanzer told his incredible story.   When you get a chance ask your kids about him.

We spent some time at the Arlington house which before the war was the home of Robert E. Lee.  Then we started walking down the hill and made a brief visit to the Kennedy family grave.

Once again our children were wonderful.   They were respectful, engaged in what was going on around them and truly a pleasure to be around.  As you walk through the cemetery and look out over the uniform rows of gravestones the seem to extend to the horizon.  It helps give some perspective of the incredible sacrifice given by so many for our country.  I think our kids understand that sacrifice as well.

Day #4 2016 Washington DC trip

Wow,  what an incredible day!  Near perfect weather and a unique day for our students and the St. Luke's Lutheran school community!

We started out the day with a visit to the Martin Luther King Memorial.   Several of our 8th grades  did a great job taking turns reading Dr. Kings famous "I Have a Dream" speech to the rest of the students.  Then they spent some time exploring the memorial reading some some of Dr. Kings famous quotes that are engraved along the back wall of the memorial.

Our next stop,  the FDR Memorial, Mr. Glanzer challenged our students to identify the symbolism incorporated into the design of the memorial.   For me it was not the most "awe inspiring" but definitely  the most interesting.  Divided into four sections, or rooms, each was designed to represent the unique challenges our nation faced during each of his four terms in office.  Then on to the Jefferson Memorial.

We had a unique opportunity to visit the Jefferson Memorial on Thomas Jefferson's 273rd birthday!   Mr. Glanzer gathered the students, as he typically does at each stop, to share a his knowledge of the history of the memorial and Thomas Jefferson before they set off to explore on their own.   I look
around at the students each time he gathers them to explain what they are about to experience.  They
truly respect Mr. Glanzer and they hang on every word he has to say.  We are blessed that our children have Mr. Glanzer as one of their teachers and one of their role models.  Next stop was a "whirl wind" visit to the National Gallery of Art.

And now the best part...

The 65th Infantry Regiment,  the  Borinqueneers, were a segregated unit of Puerto Rican Soldiers that severed in World War II and most notably Korea.   After many long years of struggling to be recognized for there heroic involvement in Korea, today (April 13th), was the conclusion to that struggle.  They were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, our nations highest civilian honor, in a ceremony at the Capitol that was attended personally by eight of our 8th graders.

Im sure most of you know, thanks to Senora Ford,  that the Borinqueneers and their unique history have become part of our students educational experience.  During National Lutheran Schools week
this past year our students raised over $4000 during the "penny wars" to assist each member of the
Borinqueneers to obtain a bronze replica of their Congressional Gold medal.  The original gold medal will reside in the National Archives.  That effort by our St. Luke's students was recognized by Senator Rubio during the ceremony!   Thats right,  St. Luke's Lutheran School,  mentioned not once,  but twice during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the Capitol building.  And our 8th graders were their to witness that event.

Unfortunately not all of the students were able to attend the actual ceremony.  The remainder of the students watched a live feed of the ceremony along with the others that that could not attend. After the ceremony Senator Rubio made a trip over from the Capitol to visit and speak with our students and the others.  The kids were very excited.

And wait,  theres more!!

After the ceremony we boarded the buses for a short trip to the National Cathedral for the Evensong.     For me,  it was literally jaw dropping when you first walk into the cathedral.  What an amazing and majestic place.  We attended the evening service along with another school group then we headed of to dinner.


Our last stop of the day was the Marine Corp War Memorial.  Its a sculpture depicting that iconic image of six US Marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima.    Unfortunately, at the time of the photograph the battle for the Island was not over and three of the six flag raisers were killed during subsequent battles over the coming days and weeks.   What an impressive monument.

As alway,  our children represented St. Luke's well on day #3 of our trip.  What a great group of kids.  We have allot to be thankful for.