Memorial Day weekend is special in any part of the country, but Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC is something not to be missed. The patriotism and overwhelming sense of pride and country as Americans gather to honor our military veterans who died fighting for freedom and liberty brings a tear to your eye as you wreaths are placed at every memorial.
Whoever says that small schools don’t give their students opportunities that bigger schools can offer has never heard of Elmwood-Murdock High School. Our whole school district, K-12 has only 403 students, and an average graduating class of 36 kids. But this has not held them back.
The band consists of over 70 students (3/4 of the student body) and in 2010 they had the opportunity to march in the Memorial Day parade and spend Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC. I was lucky to be a sponsor and the trip was nothing short of spectacular. In just 4 1/2 days we took over 80 people to the following locations
- Arlington Cemetery
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: (Laid the schools band wreath)
- Nations Capital: (experienced security at it’s finest when an abandoned baby stroller caused a evacuation of a marked perimeter)
- World War II Memorial
- Vietnam Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- Iwo Jima Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Lawn
- Holcoust Museum
- Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Step
- Smithsonian Museums
- Marching in the Memorial Day Parade
Our kids learned important lessons that weekend. Many family member serve in the military and the Vietnam Wall held special meaning for them. Tears were shed, and by the time our students placed a wreath at Arlington Cemetery there wasn’t a dry eye in the group.
My son was especially impressed by the World War II Memorial and I watched him quietly stare at the wall of stars. He asked about his grandfather and other relatives that served during WWII. That son is now a United States Marine and I couldn’t be prouder.
Photographing Washington D.C. Digital Field Guide
25 Bicycle Tours In and Around Washington, D. C.: From National Monuments to Country Roads (25 Bicycle Tours)Holocaust Museum In WashingtonArlington National Cemetery: A Guided Tour Through History (Timeline)
&
If you ever get the chance to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC I would highly recommend it, take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and be proud of our country.
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National CemeteryMrs. Lee’s Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery Became My ClassroomAdministrative Guide To Information and Burial At Arlington National Cemetery
&
Memorial Day Links
Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend in Washington, DC
‘Blessing of the Bikes’ Set for Friday at National Cathedral …
It was an amazing trip! I was so proud of the kids for such a great performance in the heat. The applause and thank yous they received as we walked with them were unbelievable.