Thursday Morning

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Thursday's Washington Area weather forecast called for scattered thunderstorms, and wouldn't you know it, my small old umbrella broke yesterday (I should have brought my nice, new, big YMCA umbrella - I knew it!).  Luck was destined to be on Stony Brook's side today...gorgeous, blue skies, barely a cloud in the sky!

Resting place of JFK

We began with breakfast at Hamburger Hamlet - a simple but tasty breakfast buffet of eggs, sausage, homefries, french toast, cereal and fruit.  After departing breakfast, we drove past the Pentagon from I-395, and headed to Arlington National Cemetery.  Students were incredibly respectful the whole way through Arlington Cemetery, and man did we get some good exercise!  If you have never been to the Cemetery, it is quite hilly, and the only transportation through is a paid tram for tours and government/approved vehicles.  As a result, students are dropped off in the parking lot, and took quite a hike up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Students witnessed the playing of "Taps" at 9:15am, and then a wreath laying ceremony at 9:30am.  It is here, on the side of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, that the eighth grade teams found their names: Victory, Peace and Valor.  Students continued their tour to the monuments honoring the Challenger Spaceshuttle, and visited the tombs of JFK and RFK, both sitting at the bottom of the hill of the home of General Robert E. Lee.

After our photo-opp at the Capitol Building, students had a variety of lunch choices at National Place.

We're now off to the Cherry Blossom Boat Cruise in downtown Alexandria, Virginia.  More to come soon!