The Capitol Idea of the USA, 10 Years Ago

I often speak about how inspiring it is to visit Washington, D.C.  I have gone on multiple trips there and had numerous layovers there, too, with each experience unique and giving me the opportunity to build on what I've experienced already.

It was 10 years ago this week that my family foursome went there on a trip for a few days, from July 22-28.

We rode the tollways east.  We stopped in Annapolis to visit the Maryland State Capitol.  The Continental Congress met there back in the 1780's, and during one of these meetings, George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.  It was an amazing experience to visit the place where something so momentous happened that set the tone for the United States at its founding.

Our lodgings for our stay were in National Harbor, a commercial area just south of the southernmost tip of Washington, D.C.

I was glad that on Sunday, we had the chance to visit the Washington National Cathedral during this trip, as I had been interested in going there for some time.  It is an incredible sacred space, filled with religious imagery and also so much symbolism of the USA.  Earlier that day, I went to Mass at a historic church, St. Ignatius, in nearby Oxon Hill, MD.

On Monday, we walked around in Old Town Alexandria, since our previous stay there in December 2004 piqued my interest.  Then, we spent a chunk of time at the National Museum of American History, chock full of great exhibits.  We attended a free evening concert at the Kennedy Center.  After having dinner there, we took in some great views from the roof of the Kennedy Center.

Our tour of the US Capitol on Tuesday, July 26, was a true highlight.  I booked a tour through the office of Representative Danny Davis, who still serves the 7th Illinois Congressional District.  As we waited in his office for the staff to take us on our tour, I couldn't help but feel at home with all the decor evoking a sense of Chicagoland, including an item on loan from the Field Museum  We visited the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the Old Senate and House Chambers. We sat in the House gallery for a few minutes to observe a session of Congress.  Interestingly, there were more people in the gallery than on the House floor, where someone was talking about something related to oil drilling.  We then had the thrill of riding the tram system back to the Rayburn House Office Building.  We finished our capitol visit with a brief visit with Danny Davis.  He remarked about notable people from Oak Park.  I remarked how inspiring it is to be in Washington, D.C.  He remarked how inspiring the process is to see legislation become law.

Earlier during our stay, we visited with one of my brother Eric's college friends, Paul, who, at the time, worked in the DC office of Senator Chuck Grassley.  It was fascinating to get his perspective.  On our way back to Oak Park, we stopped in the Columbus Metro Area, and visited with another one of Eric's friends, Jeff.

As I reflect on this trip 10 years later, I am inspired by how my experiences during those days gave me a new sense of who we are as the people of the United States.  It is such that it is truly our government and our common heritage that we get to see in that city.  We see exhibits in museums and even the displays in the National Archives, which connect us with who we are.  And it was fabulous to converse with Danny Davis, which was an opportunity to connect closely with those who serve in the government.

We share a great common heritage as people of the United States, much of which is stewarded by those who serve and work in Washington, D.C., so that we can continue to connect with what our country is.

It was a great time sharing a truly USA experience with my family.

Above is the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State Capitol, where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army at a meeting of the COntinental Congress on December 23, 1783.

In the above photo, you can see the Illinois flag in the nave of the Washington National Cathedral.

Mom and I are posing in the National Museum of American History.  The area with the gold tiles is at the entrance to an exhibit on the US flag that waved at the Battle of Fort McHenry in September 1814.  Eric or Dad might have gotten this photo.

Someone got this photo of my pose on the rooftop of the Kennedy Center, with the Washington Monument to the left of me and the Lincoln Memorial to the right.

Above, I am riding the tram system from the US capitol to the Rayburn House Office Building, taken by Lucas, an intern in Representative Davis's office, who appear to the left of me in the photo below, with Congressman Davis appearing to the right, in the inner office of Representative Davis.

Here's a family photo with Danny Davis, probably taken by Lucas.