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.