Day 2: June 10th, a Day of Remembrance.

Most of these entries begin with a statement of exhaustion.  It is never meant as a complaint.  It simply is setting the stage for anyone who has never traveled on an student based educational tour.  The goal is to pack as much in, in as little time as possible.  The downside of this is that we can often forget the magnitude of the things we are experiencing and it might not have the impact that it should.  To be exhausted, at the end of a night of touring, is a good thing.  Tonight, I, as well as the other chaperons, are exhausted...and that is a good thing.  I think that most of the kids are exhausted too...and that is an even greater thing.

Our day started with a little controversy.  When we checked into the hotel, we received a little paper welcoming us to the Howard Johnsons  (Ours had a few pieces of candy on it too).  This slip informed us that our breakfast would be served in the Washington room at 6:30.  At 6:15, Mr. Collins and I, and a few of the boys, found ourselves looking for the Washington room.  The front desk clerk gave us directions, but informed us that they would probably not be ready.  We patiently waited until the appropriate time and then we made our way to eat.  The Washington room was clearly too small for our group.  The available food didn't seem like there would be enough either.  I was distressed. I ended up walking to a local gas station and buying an apple.  It was tasty, but when I returned I found out that a mistake had been made.  We were supposed to eat in a different building and there was plenty of seating, food options, and smiles.  For the Goonies fans out there, we had breakfast at Fratellis.  There was no sign of Sloth.

After getting some decent food to eat, we boarded our buses and took off towards Arlington National Cemetery.  We knew it was going to be hot and that the kids might become a little anxious, but we gave them some water and reminded them of where we were headed and why we were headed there.  They understood.

National Cemeteries are beautiful places.  As I mentioned yesterday, I've been fortunate enough to visit Normandy and walk within the American Cemetery above the shores of Omaha beach.  I've also visited a World War One Cemetery in France at Aisne-Marne.  Each one is a dignified final resting place for America's most deserving citizens.  I am always moved when visiting places such as these and I really wanted the kids to sense that as well.  I've always been impressed with the attitudes of our high school students and was pleasantly surprised to see the kids today exhibiting the same values as I've come to expect.

Our first stop inside Arlington National Cemetery was the final resting place of John F. Kennedy.  JFK is buried alongside his wife Jackie and two of their children.  Carole explained a little bit about Kennedy and noted that JFK's brothers were not too far away.  Robert and Edward are buried just down the hill and Joe is memorialized there as well.

An eternal flame burns just above the headstones of the Kennedy's.  It is said that Jackie requested the flame because of how much Jack admired the eternal flame he saw burning at the base of the Arc de Triumph in Paris.  Today, for me, it serves as a reminder of the youthful exuberance of the Kennedy's and how that rekindled part of the American dream.

After a few moments, we made our way through the cemetery.  We were on our way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Carole told us there are approximately 400,000 headstones at Arlington, but there are closer to 600,000 people buired there.  Not all of those interred are servicemen or Presidents, but most have left an impression on American history even if their stories are largely untold.  None of us had the time to walk among the headstones to pay individual respect, but we were able to make a universal gesture to their sacrifices while standing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It was our pleasure to witness the changing of the guard.  I've seen similar presentations in multiple foreign countries, but nothing is as impressive as the young men whose duty falls upon that tomb.

I tried to video the ceremony.  I was a little far away and it was the first time I've used my GoPro, but I hope you are able to make out the decorum and dedication of these young men.

After the guards were back on duty, Carole took us towards the exit.  She stopped and informed the kids about Christa McAuliffe.  I asked who had gone to the Waybright and upon seeing a few hands in the air, I told the kids how we had all been gathered into the Cafeteria to watch the Challenger take off into space.  A teacher was about to become an Astronaut.  It was a day that I'd never forgotten.

Carole has just explained what happened to the Challenger and to Christa McAuliffe

It is strange, which days we remember...and for what reasons we remember them.

We made our way towards the bus.  Our kids were incredibly respectful.  They stood silently at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and paid their respect to those who are buried on this beautiful ground.  On our way out, however, I saw a headstone.  The young man who was buried there had received the medal of honor.  It is the same medal I wrote about yesterday.  I remembered, again, my trip to Normandy and the sacrifice paid by Arthur DeFranzo.  I am in awe of his story and cannot believe I waited until I was nearly 40 to learn it.  As I remembered him, I stopped.  I grabbed my phone and checked the photograph I posted yesterday.

Today, June 10th, is the 71st anniversary of Staff Sergeant Arthur DeFramzo's death in a field in Vaubadon, France.

Several non-bus 3 students waiting outside of the cemetery.

We boarded our bus and drove to visit the Iwo Jima memorial.  Carole told us the story.  The kids, I think all of them, were familiar with the photograph...and that flag.

A large group of Belmonte kids infront of the memorial.

Some of Bus 3.

This was our view from the bus.

 The memorial is much larger than I had expected.  I told a few people at the front of the bus about my grandfather.  He was a Marine and he fought at Iwo Jima.  My family is fairly certain that he is in the following photograph.

These places we visit are connected to real people who have left behind so many stories.  History is important because we never should let the legacy of our past disappear.  If my grandfather is in this picture, or if he is not, it doesn't really matter...as long as we try to remember those men on that day.

Our next stop was the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  I knew, from past experiences, that this can be a fairly emotional place for kids.  In the musuem, they trace the footsteps of a young Jewish boy named Daniel.  They see the growth of the Nazi party, the persecution of the Jewish, and the horrors of the Holocaust.  For most of the kids, the experience was somewhat unnerving.  In the lobby, near the end of our visit, I met four young ladies from a different bus.  One of them told me that her sister has traveled with me this past April.  Another told me that her sibling had also been to Europe with me.  And so it began...these kids were all related to names from my past.  Some, as recently as this past April, but others were former students from many years ago.  Each felt comfortable enough to introduce themselves to me regardless of not knowing me or sharing a bus ride with me.  One time, at Auschwitz, a young man asked me how I cope with so much hate in the world...and in our past.  I told him that is because I can see the good in humanity.  For all of the evils we learn about in history class, there are thousands more examples of kindness and compassion, or bravery in the face of evil.  This, I said, is how I cope.  We began to gather up to depart the museum and head to lunch, when I stopped again...

Placed with reverence, between the entrance and the exit, is a memorial for Stephen Tyrone Johns.  He was a member of Washington's Special Police force and he was killed in the line of duty at the Holocaust museum on June 10th, 2009.  Officer Johns lost his life around 12:50pm.  This memorial stands ever present at his post.  His life was dedicated to protecting others and allowing us never to forget.  On the bus, as we departed the museum and headed towards lunch, one of our students said, "We shouldn't need a museum to remember the Holocaust, we should just remember it and never let it happen again." She's right.

Our last stop, before lunch, was at the National Cathedral.  I didn't take advantage of the tour because I was busy examining the exterior of the building...looking for Darth Vader.  Carole had made many connections to European Cathedrals and she had given the kids a couple of things to look for, but I was caught up in finding a piece of Americana situated on the Cathedrals northern tower.  My camera, however, was not up to the task of capturing old Anakin Skywalker.  I did get some other photos.

I think this was Bus Two.

The Darth Vader Gargoyle is atop this tower.

Lunch, for us, was not an easy endeavor.  We ate at a place called "Eat at the National Place."  There are a bunch of options.  I chose a chicken gyro.  It is one of my favorite meals to eat in Europe and I thought an American version would suffice.  The place, the entire place, was packed.  It seemed like all 6,000 tour buses dropped their kids off at once.  That said, my gyro came out in pretty quick order.  It was quite tasty too.  Not as good as the street food in Paris, but much better than my salad the night before.  Some kids got Five Guys and some tried their first Moe's Burrito.  We consumed quickly and headed off once again for the Newseum.

It is a modern museum dedicated to Journalism and reporters.  I love it.  There are a ton of cool exhibits.  One deals with the assassination of Lincoln.  Another showcases the ways Vietnam was reported.  I watched a video on Pulitzer prize winning photographs.  The kids liked it too.  I spoke with a couple of kids about their favorite parts and many of them had the same answers.

A sign when entering the Newseum

Quite a few of the kids said the 9/11 materials was the most interesting part of the museum.

Portion of the radio tower on WTC 1

Part of the Pentagon

September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday of the first full week of a school year.  I was a second year teacher.  It is also my father's birthday.  Of all of the things that happened that day, the most surreal was eating birthday cake and trying to celebrate a man who is, in my mind, one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived.  It is strange, which days we remember...and for what reasons we remember them.

Another exhibit that the kids referenced were the sections of the Berlin Wall.

The East side

The West side.

I'm a product of the late stages of the Cold War.  My favorite toy was GI JOE.  My Dad (my hero) was a Soviet weapons and tactics expert in the Army.  I was a new junkie as a kid...and I am pretty sure I still am.  I was sitting on the floor, in front of my couch, when Tom Brokaw interupted whatever show was on.  He was reporting that the Wall was coming down.  I turned to my parents and told them, I'd never forget where I was when the Wall came down.  The day was Novemeber 9th.  I love finding connections.  It's why I like history so much.  These middle school kids, and their juxstaposition of two important moments in my life, has allowed me to quantify my feelings about good overcoming evil.  I never realized that to a German citizen, 9/11 is a day of celebration.  It is the day when their people rose above the hatred of their past and the domination of the Soviet regime.  It is a day their people took their freedom back from hatred...and because of Tom Brokaw, and the news, I saw them do it with song, and dance, and good cheer.  It is strange, which days we remember...and for what reasons we remember them.

Gathering up nearly 200 kids is a Herculean task.  We've managed to do it a couple of dozen times now...and we are getting really good at it.  As the Newseum was preparing to close, we did it again, but before we did, I had to try and embarass one of the Bus 3 kids...because today, June 10th, is his birthday.

Bradon's birthday, his first out of state, has been one of his best birthday's ever.  I hope he remembers it for a long time.

We got on our bus and sang him happy birthday.  As we got off of the Bus, he was all smiles.  It had been a heavy day with lots of serious stuff going on, but these kids were super enthusiastic.  They had a dance coming up and they needed to get ready.  The following pictures are of a variety of kids.  I am trying to find youngsters from the other buses because I know some of their parents want to see them on this blog.  It's hard to do, but I promise, I am trying.  Needless to say, the kids all looked great!!!

Most of the boys are camera shy...but not this group!

The Cherry Blossum returning to port.

It's getting late (12:50) and I should really get to bed.  I wanted to end this post with another reference to Days of Remembrance.  As the kids disembarked and prepared to board our bus for the evening ride home, I saw Brandon once more.  He was still all smiles.  I asked if the cruise was a good time (I didn't go on the boat with the kids).  He said it was.  I asked if it was the best birthday ever...he laughed and said it was.  I hope, that in years to come, when June 10th rolls around, that I remember Arthur DeFranzo and Stephen Tyrone Johns.  I want to remember them.  I hope, also, that I remember the best birthday ever and the smiles on Brandon's face throughout the day.  I mean, when you think about it, the sacrifice of the first two men is to protect the ideas represented in that smile.

Good night all...I hope you've enjoyed this blog and please feel free to share it with others!!!

Day 1: Looking for connections and buses without plugs

Phew, what a day.

First, it should be said that everyone seems to be having a great time and the trip is going well.  We gathered nearly 17 hours ago and now we are comfortably checked into our hotel rooms.

Second, I am hopeful that those reading this blog have already read the Introduction that I posted last week.  I find, whenever I am starting a new series of posts, that it makes sense to explain who I am and why I take the time to write this blog.  If you haven't read the introduction you can click on the previous posts at the bottom of this page.

Many years ago, I found myself in Revere's Showcase Cinema.  I was anxiously awaiting for the release of an epic filmed called, "National Treasure."  It is one of Nick Cage's best films.  For a quick plot synopsis, Mr. Cage is a treasure hunter who believes there is a massive Masonic treasure hidden somewhere in the US.  The story eventually has him stealing the Declaration of Independence to protect it from the evil treasure hunters.  At one point, Benjamin Gates (Cage's character) reads the Declaration...he then tells the audience, that people do not talk that way anymore.  They aren't poetic, thoughtful, or meaningful with their words.  The scene left an indelible mark on me and my character.  While there are many times that I am not poetic, thoughtful, or meaningful with my words, I do make an attempt, with this blog, to think a little deeper and find meaning in my experiences.  I hope that the connection to a Nick Cage movie doesn't sour your appetite for this blog, but instead gives you a glimpse into why I try to think carefully about the things that I write.

I got to the Belmonte around 5:15 this morning.  Before we arrived at the school, we stopped at a local Dunkin Donuts.  Sure enough, it was full of kids, and their parents, getting drinks and snacks for the ride.  I think I had had a similar experience the other night while at Walgreens.  It was cool for me, someone these kids don't know well, to be able to observe their authentic enthusiasm.  For most of this kids, this is a chance to get away, to hang out with their friends, and to say, in some measure, goodbye to the school that they've called home for the past three years.  Most of them will find themselves experiencing a similar enthusiasm in early September as they prepare to begin their high school careers.  Life seems to find ways to create natural parallels.  Last week, I was at the graduation for Saugus High School.  I said goodbye to a ton of great kids.  They are heading off to college, work, or the military and they will be missed.  Today, I found myself in a middle school gymnasium and I couldn't help but think that many of the kids looked familiar.  As we headed out for the long haul and I gave my student list a closer inspection, I realized that many of these kids are the younger brothers and sisters of my former students.  While I don't know them...I know about them.  The same might be true with their thoughts on me.  It is with this in mind that I am writing tonight's blog.  It is about connections for me.

When we left the parking lot and headed down the highway, I heard some kids complaining that our bus did not have electrical outlets.  Their lifelines were temporary.  Their phones would die before we reached the hotel.  I chuckled a bit...not because I am mean or because I have a battery pack that will recharge my phone four times over, but because it made me realize how dependent they have become on technology.  I was thinking about how I'd mention it in the blog, when I realized that I too am dependent on technology.  We made it through the plug-less bus without too much of a hassle.  I did, however, see a bunch of kids huddled around the plugs when we stopped in New Jersey for lunch.

I am not going to lie.  I pride myself on being able to stay awake longer than most.  I was thinking I'd be able to stay awake for the entire drive down to DC, but I did sneak away for a couple of cat naps on the bus.  I suppose I needed them.  I wasn't the only one who slept as many of my fellow bus 3 travelers closed our eyes for brief periods of time.  We did watch a couple of movies along the way, but before we knew it, we found ourselves driving through Maryland with the capital city on the horizon.  Driving for as long as we drove can be tiring, and can cause many to lose their cool, but for the most part, Bus 3 was pretty chill.  When we could see some of Washington's monuments, however, excitement began to build.  We soon met Carole, our guide, and went into the Ronald Reagan building for dinner.  I had a salad.  It has chicken on it.  (Frequent blog readers will note that I often write about the foods I eat.  I try to describe how delicious, or unique, the food is).  There was some dressing on it.  I am hoping I make better food choices tomorrow.

After dinner, we headed towards the White House.  I'll never really get over how cool I think the White House is...It is truly special to me.  I hope the kids feel the same way when they are pushing 40.

Some of the Belmonte staff and kids in front of the White House!!!

The Triple E's.  The first of my kids to introduce themselves and make me feel like part of the Belmonte family.

2015 is the year of the Selfie for me.  So, Here is a selfie of me.

The first time I visited the White House, I thought it neat that a protest was happening across the street.  The protest continues.  I'm not endorsing the cause; I'm celebrating Free Speech.

I read a source a long time ago that says the more we see of the world, the more we understand about ourselves and our community.  I am a firm believer in this concept and it is why I travel so much.  I love to see how things connect.  These intersections resonate with me and I try to use them to fuel this blog.  I've traveled on this trip before (two years ago) when I was an administrator for Saugus Schools, but I am going to try not to reference that trip too much.  The connections that I am looking for are ones that are a little different than two similar experiences.  About a month and a half ago, I found myself at Ohama Beach on the coast of France.  It was at this location that American servicemen launched an attack against fortified German soldiers.  Their efforts changed the course of history and the visit to this beach was an important one for me.

Today, after the White House, we made our way to the World War II memorial.  It is very impressive.  The memorial has two entrances; The Atlantic and Pacific.  Resting between the entrances is a pool of water.  Surrounding the pool are 56 columns.  One for each state, the territories, and the District of Columbia.  Not far from the pool there is another memorial.  It is one that is dedicated to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

If I remember correctly, there are about 4,000 stars along this still body of water.  Each star represents about 100 soldiers who lost their lives during the Second World War.  As I stood there, framing this picture, I thought about those men, and that beach, and all of their sacrifices.  I thought of my grandfather, who fought at Iwo Jima.  He survived the war, but I also thought of Arthur DeFranzo, a young man from Saugus, who did not survive.  He lost his life not far from the beach pictured above and is commemorated at Riverside Cemetery.

Medal of Honor Winner and Saugus Native.

After viewing this memorial, we headed on with our tour.  Our next stop was the Vietnam War Memorial.  Our guide explained the three different parts of the memorial.  There is a small statute with three women representing the efforts and assistance provided by females during the war.  There is another small statute with three men, representing Caucasian, African-American, and Latino servicemen.  The final segment, however, is the Wall.  I'll never stop being fascinated by the Wall. Upon it are the nearly 60,000 names of servicemen, and women, who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.  Before we walked along this hallowed ground, I informed the kids of the three soldiers from Saugus who lost their lives and Mr. Burke described a friend of his who was also killed.  

Some of our kids along the Wall.

I went ahead to the Western portion of the wall.  On the 16th panel, at line 116 (I think), I found the name of Stanley Egan.  He was from Saugus.  There were some other Belmonte students in the area, but not from bus 3, and so, I quickly explained who he was.  I try, when traveling to Europe, to stress that history is all around us and, more often than not, we can find connections to our home when abroad.  There, alongside that wall, I think some kids truly understood what I meant.

It was packed in the city today.  There are thousands of us here.  Just as it is described in National Treasure, Washington DC is full of 8th graders on a field trip.  Our guide said she heard there are nearly 6,000 buses in the greater DC area today.  I don't find that hard to believe.  The downside to that, is that these sites are very busy.  The solemnity that one would expect to find is not quite apparent because of the shear volume of people.  No one wants to be outwardly disrespectful, but it does happen.  The kids I spoke too, the ones from Saugus who were able to make connections, were incredibly respectful.  It was reassuring.  We slowly made our way towards the Lincoln Memorial and I overheard one young lady speaking with a friend.  She was noticeably upset.  She said that she didn't think it was okay for some people to be laughing and joking at a site that commemorates so many soldiers who died in the line of duty.  It was a sign of great maturity in her and I had to interject.  I reassured her. I told her that the people who didn't quite "get it" would understand at some point.  Those people would eventually understand sacrifice.  I explained briefly how I had seen similar behavior in places like Normandy, Auschwitz, and other places of great reverence.  I told her not to be too upset with those who don't appreciate what we had seen.  They will understand...then I told her how lucky she is.  She is 13 or 14 and she already values her ancestors.  She understands the importance of history and the ultimate devotion paid by so many.  At the high school, when good things are happening, we often say, "It's a good day to be a Sachem."  Today, it was a good day.

The Lincoln Memorial is a favorite among the kids.  It is very impressive.  Lincoln is sitting there, nearly 20 feet tall.  He is imposing. He is determined.  I love it.  

You can get a sense of how many people are in DC with this picture of the Lincoln Memorial

We left Lincoln and made our way to one more memorial.  The Korean War Memorial is one of the most impressive I've ever seen.  There is so much symbolism.  I grabbed a quick photo because the time was limited here and it was getting dark.

19 Soldiers on Patrol.  To the left, a reflective panel with photos of real soldiers.

We had wrapped up a long day and began to head towards our hotel.  I could probably write for hours, but we have another long day ahead of us tomorrow.  We will be visiting Arlington National Cemetery and I am certain we will make more connections to our past.  

It's funny.  I started this post writing about kids complaining that they couldn't charge their phones on the bus.  I can't recall a single person complaining about that on the way to the hotel.  We pulled up into the parking lot and waited for our room assignments.  I jumped into the cargo hold to retrieve luggage for kids and was helped, and thanked, by pretty much every passenger.  I've always believed that we learn when we travel.  I always seem too.  I think our kids learned a little bit about sacrifice today.  I think they learned about helping others and appreciating the real things in life.  

I am so grateful to be able to accompany young people while they see the world.  Today was no exception.  To the parents reading this...thank you.  It has been an absolute pleasure.

I am adding a couple more photos below.  I apologize for not providing more commentary, but it is 11:45 and I really should get some sleep.

At the hotel, waiting to take the elevator.

Reflecting by the reflecting pool

The Lincoln Memorial

The Washington Monument

The World War II Memorial

An elevator full of kids waiting to see DC

We just finished eating dinner.

Way to Be!!!  Bus 3

Good night and thanks for reading!!!  Please feel free to comment, I love feedback.

2015 Belmonte Middle School Washington DC Trip - Introduction

In just about a week, I will be on a bus heading towards our nation's capital.  I will not know most of the kids on that bus with me, but we will be sharing an experience that I hope they don't soon forget.

My name is Richard Lavoie and I am an American History teacher at Saugus High School.  I am very excited to be sharing my thoughts and experiences with you as the Belmonte Middle School makes its way to Washington DC.  I have been teaching in Saugus for about 15 years, but my story begins much earlier than that.  In the late 80s, I was a student at Belmonte.  I walked its halls, ate in its cafeteria, and learned valuable lessons that guided me towards wanting to work with kids.  As I moved on from Belmonte into Saugus High School, I continued learning about myself and realized that I wanted to teach.  It wasn't until my junior year, however, that I figured out what I wanted teach.

That is me on the right as a Freshman at SHS.
 I think I'm at a French Club meeting.

As a high school student, I had the ability to take French.  To be honest, I struggled.  I also didn't really see the value in learning a foreign language.  I only took French because my last name is French.  During my junior year, I was able to participate in a foreign exchange program and it literally changed my life.  First, we were visited by roughly thirty French students.  While I struggled with communicating with them, it was really cool to take them around and show them all that Boston, and Saugus, has to offer.  Afterwards, I traveled to France.  I stayed for three weeks, two outside of Paris, and one on France's border with Germany.  I learned, in those three weeks, how to value history.  I learned how to appreciate foreign cultures and to recognize that our similarities vastly outweigh our differences.  This transformation, within myself, made me more focused and determined.  I also learned that I loved to travel.  It is with this in mind, that I have created this blog.

Our world is much smaller than it was in 1994.  Back then, I worried about IF I'd be able to call my parents and let them know I was okay.  Now, I can stream a Red Sox game, live, across the Atlantic from Boston to Europe on my laptop..and all without wires.  At the high school, I am one of the teachers that leads international trips.  I've traveled about 10 times and I've seen over 20 countries.  As technology has changed, I've adapted the way we see the world to bring a bit of our adventure to the parents, friends, and family members of those who are traveling with me.  In the past three years, I've made well over 50 entries about the experiences we've shared while seeing the world.  This blog has been to the Blarney Stone in Ireland, the concentration camps of Nazi Germany, and to shores of the Normandy beaches in France.  We have even been to California to visit our sister school in Saugus.  Two years ago, I volunteered to chaperon the 8th grade Washington DC trip and it was such a great time.  I was very excited to be asked to attend the trip this year and hope that I am able to provide a little insight into the things we are seeing and how this experience is changing our lives.

Some SHS kids in Ireland in 2013.

Our 2012 trip to Amsterdam and Paris.

A cross country connection
between the two Saugus'. 

When I travel with the high school, I use a slogan coined by Mark Twain.  He believed that "one must travel to learn."  Twain was not a highly educated man when it came to school...but he traveled.  He recognized that our life experiences shape who we are and that we learn from them.  I think, when we read the works of Twain, and others, we travel to the worlds they describe and we learn there as well.  It is my hope that this trip teaches the 8th graders at Belmonte to love travel and to never stop learning.  It is also my hope that this blog allows my readers to sense the excitement and cherish the learning opportunities afforded to our kids.  Please feel free to bookmark this page and to share the address with whomever you'd like.  I appreciate that many of you will read this and I welcome your comments and feedback.  I will typically post links to this blog on Twitter when I've made an update.  My username is @History01906.  If you have a Twitter account, please feel free to follow.

Mural on the wall in my classroom.