Coming home: Salem & St. John’s Lutheran Schools East Coast Tour

As of: 10:10 EST the group has departed Washington, D.C. (Dulles International Airpot) only 7 minutes late. This means they will make their connection through Chicago without a problem. The group is scheduled for an on time arrival in Minneapolis / St. Paul...

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Day Four – Salem & St. John’s Lutheran Washington, D.C. Tour

It’s a cool, gloomy day at Gettysburg. But that makes it great for touring. Our guide, Andie, is teaching us how to march. We’re not sure if we want to be soldiers. We fired our cannon in 17 seconds. Whoo-hoo! We were the fastest 8th grade team of the year….but we were the 1st bus too. πŸ™‚ Andie is lecturing from the peak of Little Round Top, site of furious fighting on day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg. More from Little Round Top . Devil’s Den in the distance! A 2 hour ride back to DC and a stop at the Museum of Natural History and a photo op with the Hope Diamond. In the Museum of Natural History, parents and students had an opportunity to see the Hope Diamond. Housing the American flag that flew over Ft McHenry and inspired the writing of our National Anthem, the American History Museum was our last visit of the Smithsonian Museum conglomerate. We were all impressed with the Star Spangled Banner! πŸ™‚ Students posing for a picture on the backside of the Jefferson Memorial. The sun came out and there are thousands of people out enjoying the cherry blossoms. Many are here on the tidal basin. Instead of waiting for the bus, we decided to truly become tourists and walk around the tidal basin to the FDR Memorial. Today was a photographer’s dream day. The kids loved the walk. No allergy attacks! We experienced the FDR Memorial from the back...

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Day Three – Salem & St. John’s Lutheran Washington, D.C. Tour

Our day started with a knock-down thunder storm. But after breakfast we headed for Mount Vernon, the plantation home of George Washington. Now a gorgeous day in DC. Students are enjoying the scope and stately manner of this picturesque early American Virginia plantation. You can see how beautiful our morning turned out. The clouds provided a beautiful backdrop to the mansion of George and Martha Washington! Outside the Washington National Cathedral – all we could say was WOW! It is such an amazing design. Old world brick masonry, flying buttresses, wow. Then we went inside the National Cathedral, all we could say was the same thing – wow! Not a great photo from the outside, with my thumb in the view, but cameras can’t do justice to the cathedral, anyway. You have to see it to believe...

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Day Two – Salem & St. John’s Lutheran Washington, D.C. Tour

St. John’s & Salem students and adults pose in front of the home of Abolitionist Frederick Douglas. Touring his home and learning the story of his life was inspiring and encouraging. This is the view of Washington DC from the home of Frederick Douglas. Magnificent! You can see how beautiful a day we started with. The cherry blossoms on the drive over….PRICELESS! Congressman Erik Paulsen paused from his busy schedule to meet with us and enjoy a photo session. He was heading back to THE HOUSE, to cast his vote for a Bill that was being considered. Our group had a tremendous visit and tour in the Capitol. We were blessed to be in the gallery when House Speaker John Boehner opened the session in prayer and the pledge of allegiance was recited. This will be a great memory for all of us. We’re pausing for one last photograph before heading to Fresco’s Italian Restaurant for pasta. Our day has been full, fun, and educational. God has given us wonderful weather! Students pause to honor those who have served in the United States Air Force. Standing below Contrails at the Air Force Memorial! Salem students wearing their t-shirts with pride as they look forward to touring the US Capitol. SJ & S students and parents listening to the presentation in the Rotunda of the US Capitol. On the steps of the United States House of Representatives, SJ & S students and parents meet with Congressman Erik Paulsen. He spent...

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Day One – Salem & St. John’s Lutheran Washington, D.C. Tour

A cool crisp morning as we began our tour at the White House. Looking forward to a great day! 10:00 am tour about to start. Even the boys of St. John & Salem like their shopping time- whoa. πŸ™‚ Once inside, Elaine and Quinn pause to have a picture (some face time) with President Lincoln! Political hopefuls getting some historic tutoring. Always time for a mcNugget at the Smithsonian, and BFF’s forever. A lunch break before tackling the air and Space Museum. “Totally enjoyed spending time at the Smithsonian (Air & Space)! At the Tomb of the Unknown Solider – Arlington National Cemetery. Receiving last minute instructions from Arlington Honor Guard prior to wrest laying ceremony! St John & Salem students honor America’s unknown slain by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They were perfect. 400 people looked on! Then the hike to Arlington House. The Lord blessed this group with weather that afforded a spectacular panorama of the National Mall … wow! Paying respect at the gravesite on Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy. The blooming cherry blossoms add to the poignant beauty of Arlington National Cemetery. St. Jphn’s & Salem students were wonderfully...

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Spring Tours – 2012

The 2012 St. John Corcoran / Salem Lutheran Greenfield studunt tour to Washington, D.C. is almost underway. The group will soon be traveling on the second United leg to Washington Dulles International on Flight #990. You may want to save this page as a favorite as we await pictures, news, and information to come. And pass this link around to other family and friends as well!...

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