Sisters on the Go: Traveling to Historic Places

I recently had the opportunity to spend 10 days with my sister Michele visiting Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware to learn and become more appreciative of American history.

During our travels, we joined organized tours, visited historical sites and monuments, toured buildings and museums, listened to lectures, and walked more than the recommended 10,000 steps per day.  This travel experience helped to bring to life stories I have read in textbooks and pictures I have seen over the years. America is a land rich in history and filled with opportunity!

One of the benefits derived from studying history is to learn about the past.  History can increase our cultural literacy and sensitivity.  It was interesting, humbling, and heart wrenching to see how some lived prior to modern-day conveniences and the many freedoms we enjoy today.

As an executive assistant working in city government, I appreciated the opportunity to learn and see how the three branches of our federal government—the executive, the legislative, and the judicial—continue to play a significant role today. The delegates of the Constitutional Convention created three branches of government built as a “check and balance” system. It was done so that no one branch could become more powerful than the others.

Some highlights on our East Coast historical adventure included:

• Viewing the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence
• Touring the home of George and Martha Washington in Mount Vernon
• Driving through the Gettysburg Battlegrounds
• Seeing the imposing monuments and memorials throughout Washington, D.C.
• Visiting Arlington National Cemetery
• Touring the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress
• Touring the Pentagon
• Visiting the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Wherever you live be it Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc., dedicate some time this year to learn about the history of the country where you reside. I’m so glad that I did!

The Founding Fathers of the United States of America left our citizens a rich heritage. Much sacrifice in substance, hard work, and lives built this great Nation. May we all continue to work hard to preserve the great freedoms that we have wherever we live.