JJF Safety Patrol Trip 2015: Thursday June 11th

Thursday June 11th

JJF's Safety Patrols started the day at Arlington National Cemetery, where they watched the ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visited President Kennedy's Eternal Flame, and heard lots of interesting military burial stories from our tour guide, Mr. Kenny. (See Mr. Kenny below with our wonderful Sheriff's Deputy, Officer Truluck -- your kids are spending a lot of time with her and she is awesome. Also see your fearless chaperones.)

Next we toured the Korean War Memorial and Lincoln Memorial, where lots of our kids wanted to take pictures. They loved seeing the stone in front of Pres Lincoln where MLK gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. We took a group shot at the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial at Iwo Jima.

In the afternoon our bus cruised through Adams Morgan, Mount St. Alban and other neighborhoods on the way to the National Cathedral. The kids really seemed to enjoy the cathedral and our tour guide there, who talked to them about Gothic architecture in such an interesting way that you may even be able to ask them a question about it and get an answer when they get home. (Also ask them about the Magna Carta; many were listening to that story too.) They loved it when Mrs. Watkins led them down into the crypt to show them where Helen Keller is buried. When they heard the story they all raced to the plaque that bears her name, and felt the braille underneath.

The height of the day -- 555 feet -- was the elevator ride to the top of the Washington Monument, where they could look out and see many of the destinations they'd toured. Resting back in the shade afterward, they broke out into a spontaneous game of duck-duck-goose in the green grass.

The tourist gift shop was a hit; you may see a D.C. magnet or hat come home, hopefully not a shot glass. Their third night of all-you-can-eat buffet dinner may have them expecting as much ice cream as they wish when they return. The kids got back to the hotel early enough to have "visiting time" where they ran (oop, walked) among each other's rooms to talk and play, it was a lovely end to a lovely day.