This is my fourth trip to Washington as the Patrol Sponsor. What a pleasure and honor for me.
Day 1- Our trip began at 5:00 a.m. when we boarded Annett Bus lines. There were 9 busses. There were fifty-four on our coach including one officer. ( Officers go on every bus with our Safety Patrols because the trip is sponsored by the Police Association). We pulled out as the sun was peeking in on us.Most of the day was one of travel. It was not a bad ride. The kids (and adults) slept part of the trip and played with video games ( not adults!) and watched movies. Our bus driver- Dell, was a nice guy. (Last year, our bus drive backed down the ramp- true story- right there in Washington, DC. He missed the turn and did not want to turn around down the road so … he just moved over and backed down the ramp! EEEKKKKK!) Our Officer- Officer Green was a fine fella’ too. ( We had him last year too!) Yay . You should have seen his eyes when the guy backed down the ramp. They about bugged out! I just smiled at him with an “eeekkkkkk” look on my face.
Day 2- We began our trip visiting monuments. We visited the Air force Memorial, we went to see Thomas Jefferson (He’s huge folks!), our trip took us to the White House for a “photo op”. I think that we all looked pretty good hanging on that White House fence. That was great. (And yes, that old woman still lives on the lawn of the White House Park. She thinks George W. Bush is a terrorist. She is misled. If America were full of people like her, we really would know terrorists but that’s another story. We saw the Korean War Memorial, Lincoln and Vietnam Wall memorials and the memorial for the women soldiers. It was quite moving.
Day 3- We were able to visit the Police Memorial monument. I walked about three blocks ( and these are country miles folks!) to give some police memorabilia that I had found at a garage sale to the museum. The lady was happy to take it. She took my name and address so I’ll probably get a letter. Nice. That will be historic for our school. I’ll put it in the archives. We also visited the Petersen House and the Ford Theatre where Lincoln was shot. It was not open but we were able to take photos of the outside and there we shopped for “stuff”. I didn’t buy a thing there. I was wating for the 5 for $10. t-shirt deal near the mall.
Day 4- We had opportunity to go to the WWII memorial It was beautiful although it was hotter than who knows what! We also visited the Bureau of Engraving. Are you aware that Washington, DC does not have a “mint” in Washington? It is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In other words, they only print money and such. They don’t make coins. That was such a big hoopla. We were reminded often by our guide “Dave” to call it the BEP and not the MINT. So we did. Also, We went early and got tickets to see the Capitol. Oh, how I Love that Capitol. It just makes me feel so grand to go inside that fabulous place. I noticed this year that they did not give out brochures. I was glad to see that savings on the paper. Many people look at that brochure and in five minutes its on the ground. I think they were available for the asking though. Anyhow… good move on the part of the Capitol folks.
Day 5- We all packed our bags and changed hotels. We spent the day at Busch Gardens. The kids and parents both love that place. It was a fine week for the whole bunch.
The thing I love about the Washington trip is that the history of our Nation is impeded and steeped in Christian history. Students hear about our God simply by going to see what our forefathers did.