A New Experience

A New Experience

Yes, I have been to Washington D.C. before.
Yes, I’ve seen the monuments, the museums, and the intricate metro system.
Yes, I have felt the rushing emotion of patriotism as I stared into the stone that is all that remains to honor those who have fought for us.
Yes, I have been to Washington D.C. before.

Would I go back? Yes.

Before this year’s State President’s Conference (SPC) I had been to D.C. once before for a high school trip. Before returning to D.C. I thought that it wouldn’t be as special my second time there. I was wrong.

As my teammates and I prepared for SPC I started to get anxious, nervous, and excited for those events to come; a night tour of all the monuments, laying a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery, and of course, meeting President Bush. The true power each of these experiences possessed was only measurable at that moment you were experiencing it.

First was our night tour. Zach and I were “bus buddies.” This means we shared a bus with state officers and national officer families (yes, our families attended this conference and just hung out in the audience, pretty cool). I’ll tell you a little secret…Zach and I weren’t supposed to be on the same bus, but we decided to switch things around because we never get to work together. Well, let’s just say Karma got the better of us due to our “switching” of the bus partners: over half of our bus, including my mom and little brother, got stuck on an elevator for one hour and 45 minutes, causing us to miss the first part of the tour. We were then known as the “El bus” (short for elevator).

Eventually we finally gathered up the remaining bus members from the elevator and made to where the other two buses were. The night tour was absolutely gorgeous! My personal favorite was the Jefferson Memorial where Zach and Morgan gave reflections on the front steps. I know everyone who was present would agree that was a beautiful sight.

Another BIG event during SPC was Arlington Cemetery. First off, I’m proud to say that I had to have burned of at least five pounds walking up the hill in official dress with the rest of the officers (you all are troopers)! When we finally made it to the top of the hill, there was the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 9AM they had the changing of the guards. Then, Kari, Morgan, Tyler, and I lined up to lay a wreath on the tomb. Of all the events that happened in D.C. that week, this was one of my favorites. I’ll always remember the day that those 102 FFA officers stood there paying tribute to those who have served this country.

Speaking of serving our country, one man has been doing so for quite some time. Yes, I am talking about President Bush. Our group of officers has had the honor of meeting the President ever since SPC began. One afternoon all the officers crowded into risers and awaited the arrival of our nation’s leader.

When President Bush entered the room, it was complete silence. A few moments later everyone began to cheer and clap, which then put a huge grin on President Bush. The President spoke with us for 35 minutes. I cannot even attempt to articulate everything that was said. I will tell you this, he blew us away with how open, venerable, and honest he was. When he was done speaking, and after he left the room, I was speechless. I have a whole new respect and value for the individual who serves in this role of being the head of the free land.

The week that we spent in D.C. was even more special than my first time in our nation’s capitol. The officers present represented the FFA well with the respect they showed to those who have given of themselves to ensure our freedom. Thank you.

Yes, I have been to D.C. before.
Yes, I have seen the blue jackets in the hallways of the White house and the trails in Arlington Cemetery.
Yes, I have a much greater respect for what our nation stands for.

Would I go back? Most definitely!