Each visit to the monuments and memorials of Washington, DC, is moving, educational, and enjoyable. During our student and family trip in May 2025, however, we got to experience two especially heartwarming moments.

 

 

Setting foot on the grounds of the National Mall, the families of our group instantly felt a sense of reverence. Walking through reminders of sacrifice and the price of liberty is a priceless experience.

 

One of our families had hoped to locate their relative’s name at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. As we approached the wall of names, they met with a volunteer who assisted their search. Together, they combed through the directory to locate the name that their extended family had shared prior to our trip.

 

 

Within a few minutes, the volunteer led our group to a panel where the Stover family discovered the exact location where their late relative is honored. Though they had never had the opportunity to meet and know this soldier, his sacrifice was a great source of pride. For all of our group’s participants that day, it was a touching moment.

 

 

 

As we continued around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, our group arrived at the end of a Memorial Day ceremony being held at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. A Navy serviceman in his white uniform stood holding his trumpet. We gathered around for the ceremony’s conclusion, where we were treated to the most beautiful rendition of Taps.

 

These special moments are things we could have only experienced through the power of travel. We are so grateful to School Tours of America for helping us make these memories with our students and their families!