Our Last Day!!!!

It was a GRANDE FINALE ! ! ! 

We had such a great trip!!  The kids were great, the sights were incredible, we had an all-around WONDERFUL TIME!!!!  We toured the Capitol, visited Mr. Peterson's friends at the Field School, where he worked before he joined us at Winston, and finished off our day at The Air and Space Museum.

What fun!!!

Here we are! ! ! !  The entire group!!!

WOW - What a day!!!  None of us have ever seen Gettysburg before!!  We had a wonderful guide - he's in a lot of our pictures.  He even does a great Civil War rap!!  He told us that he's on YouTube, Civil War Tourist Guide - Jim Martin.

Gettysburg was our first stop today, and WE LOVED IT!!  When we got back to Washington, D.C. we went to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights at the National Archives.  Next were the F.D.R. Memorial and Jefferson Monument.  We finished our day with the Air Force Memorial.  

Tomorrow we will be touring the Capitol, and having lunch at the Field School, where Mr. Peterson worked before coming to Winston!!

See you soon!!!

Day #3 has been another record-setting day!!!  We started out at Ford's Theater, where we heard the outstanding Ranger presentation about the night that President Lincoln was assassinated.

We had a quick stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial, before going on to the White House, where we had a quick photo op.  Being Memorial Day, we had the opportunity to see the Memorial Day Parade.  Many marching bands and various Veteran's were participating.  Our favorite might have been the Tuskegee Airmen!  Last, we went up the Washington Monument - always a great experience!!!

With so much left to see, we cut the day a little short to get back to the hotel.  Tomorrow's 6:00am breakfast is looming!  We'll see you in Gettysburgh, PA!

Just a few more photos from our great day! ! ! ! !

What a day!!  We started early, traveling to George Washington's final home, Mt Vernon.  It's a wonderful site, right on the Potomac River.  From there we went to the Naval Museum.  Everyone loved that - there was a battleship to tour, lots of airplanes, cannons and other artifacts.  Our plans took a little detour as the city shut down due to the phenomenon known as, "Rolling Thunder."  Thousands of Vietnam Veterans ride into the city on Harley Davidsons to memorialize their fallen brothers and sisters and those still missing in action.  It was definitely loud and impressive.  Instead of seeing the National Portrait Gallery, we went to the Holocaust Museum.  An incredible exhibit on Nazi Propaganda as well as the Hall of Memories and Daniel's Story incited deep emotions in the kids.

Finally, we had visits to several Memorials and Monuments.  We visited the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, The Lincoln Monument and the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.  We had two peak experiences here:

At our tour guide's suggestion, the students chose to read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, "I Have a Dream," speech on the steps where he spoke those poignant words.  The students did this as a choral reading, with some students reading individually, and others reading together.  It was very moving.

Finally, at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Jacob did a rubbing of his grandfather's brother's name, as it is etched into the wall.  As he finished, a Vietnam Veteran asked Jacob and Dr. Severe if they had another paper to do their own rubbing, as he had just located his own friend's name.  When the Veteran and his friends were finished, Jacob and the Veterans shared a very personal and moving few minutes.  

We have had a wonderful day!!!  A long flight, but we met our tour leaders, and got on the bus and went to Arlington.  JFK's tomb is so impressive, especially for someone who "remembers the day."  The Tomb of the Unknowns was equally astonishing, and our Winston students made the three of us so proud.  Because of the Memorial Day weekend, there were a number of wreaths being presented.  

Our experience today was topped by Matthew's conversation with a Vietnam Veteran.   One chaperone quietly and emotionally witnessed him go out of his way to thank the gentleman for his service and say that, "after what I witnessed today, I just have to tell you how much I appreciate what you've done for all of us." 

We look forward to seeing Mt. Vernon and the Monuments/Memorials tomorrow.  Enjoy the photos!!!

Ms. Spitler, Dr. Severe, and I (Linda Castile) are really getting excited about our upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. with 20+ Winston High School students!!!  I got my suitcase out tonight.  Ms. Spitler and I discussed who would carry what for whom.  It is going to be a FABULOUS trip!!  Watch for the updates! ! ! ! !