Over 9.5 miles of walking, 31 flights of stairs...priceless!

Today may have been the best day of the trip.

Our first stop was at Arlington Cemetery, a beautiful and somber site.

Presidents and world leaders have the opportunity to show their respect by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery.  Today four ABS seniors had that honor.  These students were selected because they have earned the highest average in senior government class.  Any ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns is beautiful, memorable, and extremely touching.  It is even more so when the people involved are personally known to those watching the ceremony.  Today we witnessed four of our students honoring soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country while making a historical memory for themselves that will last a lifetime.  For Gabel, Katelyn, Sara Beth and Emily Mc, this is a day they will never forget.  Thanks for sharing this memory with those of us who were watching.

Today we left a little bit of Athens Bible School at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, DC.  A proud moment for all of us.  Thanks to Vonda for making the beautiful wreath.

Leaving Arlington we drove close to the Washington Monument.

A visit to the Holocaust Museum is not something one does for entertainment, or for pleasure.  We visit this museum so we can learn how a people can be taken in by a deceitful leader, and what unspeakable horrors can result. We can learn how to recognize the signs that could possibly lead to another similar situation.  Therefore, we make this rather unpleasant stop on our tour.  At the end of the tour we were privileged to have a few minutes to talk to Susan Taube, a holocaust survivor.

So, it was a rather emotional morning, but from noon until 5:30 we had time to visit Smithsonian museums or sightsee on our own.  Most of the group stayed at the museums or in that area, so I can only report on the afternoon activities I was involved in.  It was such nice weather that Becky, Mary Jane, Baylee, Emily and I walked to the area of the White House and took some photos.

Next we went to Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was shot, and toured the Peterson House across the street where the President died.  By this time Olen had joined our group on the streets of Washington.  He had flown in specifically to take the tour of the Capitol later today.  (Sadly, he will need to fly back home tomorrow.). Our group took the Metro to Union Station where Norm joined our group. We ate dinner there and then walked to the Capitol about the time the sun was setting.

The United States Capitol is where our elected representatives make the laws we live by.  The building is recognizable to all nations of the world.  As a citizen, getting to view or tour this famous building is indeed a treat. In 1793 construction was begun on the Capitol.  Since then it has been built, then burned, rebuilt, and restored.  I am all in favor of keeping this historic building in tip-top shape, but I am a bit disappointed that even though this building has been in existence for over two hundred and twenty years, it is covered in scaffolding the year the Class of 2016 comes for a visit!  I have read that the scaffolding is scheduled to begin to come down "by the end of 2015".  Since this is mid-November of 2015, I am a bit skeptical about that plan.  At least the goal is to have all of the scaffolding completely removed in time for the next Presidential inauguration in January of 2017.  We will see.  I just wish our seniors this year could see and appreciate our beautiful Capitol in all of it's glory.

Even though the scaffolding was a bit disappointing, our tour made up for it.  Congressman Mo Brooks and his lovely wife gave is a super-special evening.  We were taken many, many places that others never get to see.  

To name a few things we saw...the Old Supreme Court Room, the Congressional Prayer Room (Who knew?), and the Speakers' Balcony that looks over the city.  

We went to the old House Chamber, and the Congressional Ladies Lounge.

At this point in the  tour the Congressman had to go to the Cannon House Office to do a brief interview for the FOX Business network. He said his wife could continue the tour unless we wanted to go with him.  (Was be kidding?). We walked with him through the Cannon Tunnel and watched his interview.  When he finished the interview, our group erupted with applause. 

There were many photos taken with the Congressman.  The Student Council officers posed with him...and later he gave them each a piece of candy which he had taken from the "private stash" in the Senate Chamber!

The group asked if they could sing "God Bless America" in the rotunda of the old House Chamber, and  Congressman Brooks accommodated the request. Again we were taken through special areas, and we walked past the new office of Paul Ryan!

We visited the Senate Visitor Center and he announced that he had received permission for us to visit the actual Senate Chamber!  We were not allowed to take any pictures, so you will have to take my word about what a wonderful experience that was!  When we got In the chamber and recovered slightly from being awe-struck, the Congressman began by telling us that the Democrats sat at the Speaker's right and the Republicans on his left.  Without saying a word, the entire group slowly moved to the other side of the aisle.  We located the desk where Ted Cruz sits, and where other favorites sit.

We can never thank Congressman and Mrs. Brooks enough for the wonderful 3 1/2-hour tour.  Tonight we put our very tired bodies to bed, feeling every bit of those 9.57 miles we walked today, but we have smiles on our faces.  Thank you again, Congressman Brooks.