Last week I had the amazing opportunity to spend a week in Washington D.C. representing my college, myself, and my scholarship. Before last week, I had never been to D.C. before. I knew it would be unforgettable, and it was. I was able to spend each day with women (aka daughters) from all around the United States and learn so much of what makes them love America so dang much. The star spangled banner was sang every morning following the pledge, then a prayer was said before the start of each day maybe even three or four times throughout the day. One of the most interesting people I met was a lady from Nevada. She invited Bailey and I too sit in her box on Wednesday during the opening ceremony for the 126th annual Continental Congress. She told us about her time as a NSDAR daughter, why she joined and why loving your country is so important. She was a doctor in psychology, so she gave pretty good life advice. After she asked me what I wanted to do with my life, she proceeded to encourage me with some words of wisdom. She told me to think about my end goal and work backwards. And to think of the people I look up too, the people I want to be and ask them how they got there, then figure it out from there.
Every woman in this organization has paved a path for us to follow in their footsteps and it's pretty incredible. I have never met so many women who just love America that much and have so much to give back to children and adults across the country. It was remarkable.
Bailey and I were able to do some sight-seeing as well while we worked in-case you were worried ;). On Monday evening we walked up too the gate that surrounds the White House and then to the Washington Monument. The White House is a whole lot smaller then I thought it would be... You know, you see it on TV and in movies and then bam it's there and it's actually pretty small not gonna lie! I expected more... But the Washington Monument is WAYYY bigger than I ever thought. When you walk up too it and look straight up it looks like it's falling on-top of you. It's pretty incredible. Seeing the monument as the sun is setting is just a sight. If you go to D.C. I encourage you to see the monuments during the day and at night. It's a whole new experience.
On Tuesday, we spent the morning at the Constitution Hall and had tea in the afternoon with the daughters from California. After, we were able to see the NASA museum and spend a few hours there. Curious about what happened to Amelia Earhart? SAME. How can you look for someone and then one day just give up! "Oh, we looked for her in the ocean about the size of Texas..." Like come on! That isn't even the biggest state! They gave up on her. Bailey and I are highly disappointed America.
Wednesday was our very full day. We worked the table in the morning, then had lunch with the Georgia daughters. Afterwards we went on a tour of the Capital thanks to the awesome Aaron Morrison, where we were able to sit in on the House of Representatives arguing amendments to the health care bill. Talk about a rad experience. We were crunched for time afterwards and went running back to the hotel to get ready for the opening ceremony that was happening soon at the Hall. It was breathtaking. The 5,000+ women, and some males, were singing "God Bless America" and boom! The American Flag drops from the ceiling. It was incredible. The speakers they had were off the charts. One of the gentlemen was the reason we got a man on the moon for NASA! How amazing is that. He literally was mission control for the first man on the moon and for Apollo 13.
Thursday morning, Bailey and I explored the Newseum. We walked around for 3 hours, and it still wasn't enough time. They had part of the original Berlin Wall in Germany, artifacts from terrorist attacks and FBI findings all across America, newspapers dating back to when America was founded and so much more. The most incredible exhibit would have to be on the 9/11 attacks. They had a newspaper from every state with the headline of the attack. It lined a wall all the way up about 30 ft or more. Something also amazing was the newspapers from the early 1800's. It was so interesting to see the change of print, layout, images, and more since journalism became a thing. Can you tell we are Com majors? No? Me neither...
That night I met up with a friend and we walked the Lincoln Memorial and World War Memorials. I made sure to find the state of Kentucky and Georgia, don't you worry! Lincoln is also much bigger than I would have thought. That was a beautiful exhibit.
On Friday, we attended the school lunch in and spoke about how grateful we were for all the things DAR has done for Berry and students just like me. We were presented a check and took lots of pictures, nothing too fancy. Then, that evening I went to Gravelly Point Park and watched planes land into the Ronald Reagan Airport. It was incredible. Too see a plane land basically right over you while your laying on the ground is so freaking cool. There were even fireworks exploding in the distance to make for a more incredible evening.
Before heading home Saturday, we had one more lunch-in with the junior daughters and then made our way to the airport. Of course, our plane was delayed due to weather and were were a few hours behind schedule, but none the less we made it safely back to Berry.
Going to Washington D.C. was an incredible experience and I'm so blessed to be given the opportunity to go to our Nation's capital with one of my best friends. Berry has done so much for me and I could never repay them. I can't wait to see what adventure I go on next. Until then, God Bless America and Happy 4th of July everyone!
-- Lex --
