FORDS THEATER

We sat in the audience of the Ford's Theater to learn about John Wilkes Booth and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 

Lincoln sat in the right box seat. 

A view of the theater. 

Some of us sat in the balcony. 

Others sat in the orchestra seats below. 

FINAL MEMORIAL VISITS

Last night visited the White House, the Pentagon Memorial, and Iwo Jima Memorial.

PENTAGON: The temperature dropped significantly and the winds were strong, but students made the long walk out to the Pentagon Memorial. Although our students were babies on Sept. 11, 2001, they are quite tuned in to this infamous day. We walked quietly through the 184 benches honoring the victims of American Airlines Flight 77. The benches face in two directions to represent those who were on the plane and then those who were in the Pentagon. 

IWO JIMA: As you drive around this memorial and change your viewing perspective, the flag pole appears to move from an angle through to a straight pole giving the illusion that the flag is being raised. 

WHITE HOUSE:  We could not get very close due to the construction that has started in preparation for the inauguration ceremony. 

WASHINGTON'S HARD ROCK CAFE

Students had a chance to sit and relax after walking, and yet they got up during dinner to sing and dance. Two hours of laughs!!

AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM

We endured whipping winds on our dash from the Air and Space Museum to the History Museum. We had about an hour to explore. Some students saw the gowns of first ladies, others explored an area honoring our presidents. Also at the museum are Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. 

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE

This is a Washington favorite and now we know why. Dozens of full size original aircraft and rockets fill the museum. 

Skylab above and an Apollo capsule below with visible burn marks on the bottom from re-entry. 

The rocket garden below. 

Aircraft and pilots featured. 

The Wright Brothers plane above required the pilot to fly it while lying down on his belly. 

Famous female pilot Amelia Earhart above and Lindbergh's airplane the Spirit of St. Louis below. 

Mount Vernon

Home to George Washington. 

9000 sq. ft. Mansion

Malachi paint on walls at $500 per gallon. No photos allowed inside so I can't show the inside of the mansion. 

HONORING THOSE THAT SERVED

Our students continue to thank and honor veterans from various wars. Photos show students talking to Vets and giving them pins thanking them for their service. These have turned out to be very emotional moments for both the Vets and the students. 

We feel fortunate to have been there at the same time as several veterans that have been brought to Arlington National Cemetery by the Honor Flight organization that flies veterans to Washington to honor them. 

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

What an honor to be able to have our students participate in the wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS

So very proud of our students today. The morning was full of excitement and laughs while at the zoo, but much of the rest of the day was spent at the Holocaust Museum and Memorials that required them to be quiet and respectful. The chaperones are proud to say our students stood out amongst other groups. 

WAR MEMORIALS

This evening we visited four memorials:  The World War II, The Korean, the Lincoln Memorial, and The Vietnam Memorial.

WWII Memorial:

Group photo on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Below is an engraved marble slab marking the location where Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to deliver his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Below is our visit to the Vietnam Memorial where we paused to pay tribute to PFC Paul Surrette from Holbrook. We took a pencil rubbing of his name from the wall and students placed a jersey and hat at the foot of the wall beneath his name. Ms. Gallagher explained how she met with Paul Surrette's sister prior to our trip to let her know we would be honoring her brother. It was a moving moment for all of us.

Below.... Two student place a hat and shirt.

Below: Pausing to thank a vet and to give him a "Holbrook JSHS thanks you for your service" pin.