Today I rode on a plane for an hour to Washington D.C.  Once we landed I met a People to People Leader waiting for me at the front. We had to pick up at least five more kids and then we headed off to the hotel. We rode a private shuttle to the hotel because it was a good thirty minutes away from the airport. The name of the hotel was the Hyatt and let me tell you… the rooms where really nice. I had two roommates, James Yeats (from Montana) and Jean Claude Spamer (from South Africa). They are both my same age, twelve. That day during dinner, we had a famous speaker, an astronaut.  His name is Roger Crouch and he is famous because his group was the only one that had gone to space twice. He performed the duties of “Payload Specialist” on two space shuttle missions (both missions aboard Space Shuttle Columbia). He spoke wisely on how we had to never give up, as well as reach for our dreams.

I was really looking forward to being here. After seeing my first speaker I was confident that this would be an excellent and worthwhile trip. This would be an amazing opportunity to gain more knowledge of my nation and its history.

Today I woke up nice and early at six o’clock. During breakfast Thelma Drake, a former congress member (Virginia's 2nd congressional district) spoke to us about what it felt like to be in the Virginia House of Delegates. She told us what characteristics were needed to be in congress and what it took.

I was really looking forward to today because we would be touring the many monuments of Washington D.C. as well as some of the most famous buildings in Washington D.C.

The first building we entered was the Capitol building. I was overcome with awe the instant we entered the building. To be walking in the same footsteps of famous leaders come and past. We viewed just how government worked and saw how a bill was passed into a law. After viewing all the wonders of the capitol building we traveled through an underground tunnel into the library of congress. The vast size of the building was incredible and the detail that was put into this building is astounding. Although we personally did not see all the data stored there, we saw it from afar. There are so many books.

We toured many other places on Capitol Hill including the Supreme Court. We had to pass through so much security but I know that it was for our own good. After all this we dined at the Ethiopian Embassy. We sampled some of their national cuisine, which was similar to Cajun food. We were spoken to about international diplomacy and learned exactly how exporting and importing are extremely important. They treated us kindly and we did the same.

Today was a very hectic but exciting day. We went to visit Jacksonville, the first English settlement in the U.S. I had read a lot about this place, but it is a whole lot different once you are there.

They call it a museum, but it was like no museum I had seen. The whole museum is outdoors and is a reconstruction of the whole town. Some of the buildings we viewed were just how they were when they were discovered. The whole place was divided into two sections, one side was the Native Americans and the other side was the English settlement. There were even people acting out the parts that the people from that era would have had. We were allowed to touch any of the materials and artifacts.

The Indian huts were made out of dry reeds and tree trunks which were drastically different from the houses the English used. They were made out of a wooden frame and bricks. We even viewed the ships, which were small in comparison to modern day ships. We then went on to view a gallery of history and viewed a whole video of the history of this area.

Soon afterward we went to visit Colonial Williamsburg where I met people and saw places that would be the same as in the 18 century. It was the birthplace of the American Revolution. We saw a silversmith, a blacksmith, a coppersmith, a groom, and many carriages. We even played games from the 18 century like barrel hoops. We got home real late so I fell asleep instantly.

Today we left for Pennsylvania. The Gettysburg National Military park to be exact. The battle of Gettysburg was fought for three days here that became a turning point of the civil war with the union victory.

It took us two hours to arrive so I fell asleep on the coach. We were introduced to our guide and then departed on our way to the exact location. There were houses from the time of the battle which still had bullet holes and such; one even had an unexploded shell stuck in it. We reviewed the battle formations that both sides used as well. They both formed into a fishhook formation around the town. We viewed confederate cannons and we took a good look at all the types of shells that could be shot. There were explosive shells, chain shells and grape shot shells, which shot multiple pieces of shrapnel.

We viewed the configuration of devils den and how it could be used for cover as well as seeing the advantage of being on little round top. This gave the union the edge at being able to snipe as well as have a higher aim area with the cannons. After viewing all this we made our way to the Gettysburg National Military Park. They had a vast collection of civil war artifacts. We viewed a cyclorama shortly after this, which is a painting or picture set in a round room accompanied by lights and sound. It showed in high detail exactly how the battle was fought and what tactics were used.

Shortly after lunch we visited the Eisenhower National Historic Site which included the Eisenhower farm. It was mainly a place of retreat for President Eisenhower during weekends but served as a temporary White House while President Eisenhower was recovering from a heart attack. It was a long trip back to the hotel as well so I called it a day.

Today we learned to remember the past but build the future at the same time.

We visited multiple places including Arlington National Cemetery, The Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, The Newseum and the World War II Memorial.

At the Arlington National Cemetery we bowed our heads in respect to all those who served our country. The changing of the guard was the highlight of the day however. The respect and precision put into this ceremony is startling and it was an honor to view such a thing.

The Holocaust Museum brought sadness to the heart. We viewed the exhibit called Daniels story, which was about a ten year old boy who survived the holocaust. Both museums we visited where fascinating.

The Newsuem was based purely on news as the name states. I made my own report and viewed electronic newspaper from around the world including Peru; my birth nation.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space museum was completely based upon aviation as the name indicates. There was the Wright Flyer and many others, including the SR-71 Blackbird and the Space Shuttle.

We went to the World War II memorial shortly after this and we placed a wreath to honor all who died during this time of darkness.

Shortly after dinner we experienced the magic of Washington D.C. at night. We viewed the very same spot where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his speech and the Korean War Memorial with a wall that honored all who died during the Korean War.

By the end of the day we understood that even though we want peace, we are not afraid to fight for peace.

Today was a day to generally explore Washington D.C.

Everyone was really excited about today, because not only did we go to the International Spy Museum, but we also went on a cruise as well.

The International Spy Museum is the biggest spy museum in the world and it was amazing. When we entered we boarded a giant elevator. The instant the doors shut, the walls started flashing colors. On the second floor we adopted “fake identities” and were told to memorize them. We saw a short video on how spying changed the outcome of history and then made our way through the building. We learned much about the art of disguise as well as secret messages and concealed weapons. There was a concealed ring gun as well as exploding pens and an umbrella rifle. We actually got to use some of the items such as a pen that was really a decoder and we used satellite images to locate our own homes.

Shortly after this we went to the Marine Corps Memorial as well as the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. We viewed the names of all those lost with grief. People placed items in front of certain names in remembrance, including pictures and letters. After viewing all of this we made our way to the Potomac River. Once there we boarded a giant cruise ship. I had never been on a boat before so it was a different experience for me. We ate a fantastic meal of chicken parmesan and rice as well as Caesar salad.

Then all throughout the cruise the lights started flashing and they turned on the music. We were allowed to place any musical requests, as well as go outside to the deck. This lasted for well over two hours and we really enjoyed it. This was how we were bid farewell.

Today I departed for home. The skills I learned here do not only apply to this program, but to life itself. I learned many skills during this forum, but now it is up to me how I apply them in life. I will depart back home with a different approach to life. Not only did I learn leadership skills, I also learned friendship and character. I come back home with three new friends. I will keep in touch with them. The future holds unknown challenges, and alone, one might not conquer them. Together as friends, the impossible becomes possible. I can be a leader with no self doubt and complete confidence in myself, but I must share these skills with others and be an example.

To all the valiant soldiers who gave their lives, You were the schemers and plotters, thinkers and dreamers, honest and reliable but most importantly; you were the brave, the fighters.

You volunteered, putting your lives at risk. But you didn’t care. You were willing to give it all away for our nation. From the time of our forefathers to now, you lift our flag up high with pride.

For this we honor the lives you led.

Sincerely,
Daniel Reategui Angel

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