I wish I was a 5th grader. At least for this week. Monday night I spoke to two 5th graders who are in our nation’s capitol. George Lasko and Austin Keefe are with a group of students, parents and teachers from St. Timothy’s Preparatory School. They are two among millions who are eye witnesses to history. Their age affords them a unique perspective to this amazing event. 

After a day filled with sight seeing, I get the sense their group is absorbing every detail. Austin appreciated the stop at the Lincoln Memorial and offered up an interesting tidbit. There is a misspelling, or technically a mis-carving, on the North wall.  An “E” was supposed to be an “F” for “Future”.  The bottom line was filled in to correct the error. Austin said, “It was like Wite-Out!”  

He also told me the back of Lincoln’s head looks like Robert E. Lee. I had never heard that one before. But apparently the Lincoln Memorial is legendary for some interesting myths. Many visitors scope out the back of Lincoln’s head and see what looks like the face of Lee or U.S. Grant or even Jefferson Davis, but according to the National Park Service, it’s just how the tufts of hair flow. Still, those tufts must look pretty cool!

The term “cool” was used a lot. But with true enthusiasm. The inverted ‘V’ shape of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was, “cool” and so was the fact that it showed “everybody who gave their life to keep our nation safe,” as Austin reflected.

George’s favorite part of Monday’s tour was the Lincoln Memorial, “Just being at the memorial and seeing all of the bunch of history about him. The inscription on the wall, just seeing how it is, is just an amazing feeling.”  

Another memorable moment was at Arlington National Cemetery where 8th grader David Rechtin and 6th grader, Heather Park, laid a wreath on behalf of the group at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. And on a few smaller scales, they also saw a statue of Albert Einstein, ate lunch at Union Station and rode the Metro to dinner.

Tuesday’s adventure starts at 4 am for the group but as George immediately reminded me, “That’s 1 a.m. California time.” He also says it will take at least an hour to get through security in the morning. The shear excitement of what the day holds will hopefully energize them (especially the adults!) through the long day, which will end after they attend an Inaugural Ball. Very cool.

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