The West Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America (WV VVA) Maverick Chapter #1108 traveled to the National Capitol Region on May 13-14 and sponsored five local youths on the trip: Caleb Cooper, Matthew Heller, LeiAnn Richmond, Eli Thomas, and Katherine Viars. The intent of the trip was to provide a chance for these two generations to reflect on the service rendered by citizens who have served their country in uniform since its founding.
The group started the trip at Arlington National Cemetery and viewed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard. Next it traveled to the National Mall and viewed the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The day concluded with a “drive-by” of the Pentagon and dinner at a local mall.
Saturday started with a tour of the Manassas Battlefield, which included a brief overview of the American Civil War by Scott Womack followed by a museum visit, interactive map, and film about the two battles fought on that ground in 1861 and 1862. Next, the group visited the new U.S. Army Museum at Fort Belvoir, which featured Monroe Countian Colonel Andrew Rowan among many others in its Hall of Heroes. The trip concluded with lunch and a visit to the U.S. Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA.
The trip was inspiring, and the inclusion of local youth added a special dimension that benefitted both parties. Special thanks to Steve Ellison, without whose hard and thankless work the trip would not have been possible.