Day 2: Washington, D.C. - Normandy Institute Dinner with Mr. Albert H. Small and Mortimer Caplin

Dr. Borchardt reporting from Washington.  After a nice, long night's sleep at our palatial dorm at the University of Maryland, Isaac and I took the metro back to D.C.  First stop: The Newseum.  As you can see, the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue has some of the best views in the city.  We learned about the importance of freedom of the press, and how the media constantly affects our identities as Americans.  We saw a large slab of the Berlin Wall, Isaac educated me on the upcoming election using the CNN election map touchscreen, and we visited the FBI exhibit and learned more about events like the Waco siege and 9/11.  We would enthusiastically recommend a visit to the Newseum when you're in Washington, even considering it is one of the few museums in the city that is not free.

Berlin Wall at the Newseum

Isaac on the Magic Wall - Nevada went blue

A piece of the World Trade Center from the glass elevator

Dr. B and FBI gear from Waco Branch Davidian Raid

Next stop was the Air and Space Museum where we saw the Wright Brothers' glider, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, and went to an IMAX movie showing of the 3D film D-Day.  A lot of the information was review for us, but the beautiful aerial images of the Normandy coast made us even more excited to visit the real thing.  Only 5 more days!

We had lunch at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian's Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe.  I had some salmon with elderberry sauce, wild rice, and greens from the Pacific Northwest, while Isaac had a buffalo burger from the Great Plains.  We're preparing ourselves for the exotic food to come.

After a quick stop by the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art to see Da Vinci's only painting in the Americas, and admire some of the beautiful sculpture and architecture, we headed back to our dorm to get ready for the opening dinner of the Institute.  

Leonnardo da Vinci Ginevra de' Benci

Hermes Fountain

Smithsonian National Gallery of Art

We got back to the dorm, and finally met many of our fellow student teacher teams.  We got our sharpest clothes on and got on the bus to head to the Decatur House in Washington for dinner.  The Decatur House is a privately owned residence just around the corner from the White House.  We made a quick pit stop at the most famous residence in the world (visiting hours were over), then walked the block to the Decatur House.  The White House Historical Association hosted our dinner, which was a delicious meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and brownies a la mode for dessert!  The highlight of the night was the speeches by Mortimer Caplin, a 99 year old attorney, former government official, and veteran who was present at D-Day as a beachmaster on Omaha Beach.  Mr. Caplin was spry and quick-witted; a true American hero who still has energy and vitality at nearly 100.  Following Mr. Caplin's speech we heard from the Normandy Institute's benefactor Mr. Albert H. Small.  Mr. Small is a veteran, real estate developer, and philanthropist, who had a strong desire to send Americans to Normandy so they could appreciate the meaning of sacrifice.  Working with National History Day, he began the Normandy Sacrifice for Freedom: Albert H. Small Student & Teacher Institute to send 15 student and teacher teams to Normandy every year to research and honor a silent hero from their home state who died during the D-Day invasions.  After dinner we got to meet both Mr. Caplin and Mr. Small.  We thank these men for the service and their generosity in giving us this life changing experience.  Until tomorrow!  Dr. B

Isaac and Mr. Albert H. Small

Mr. Mortimer Caplin and Dr. Borchardt