tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41103439324086491322024-03-08T12:09:33.907-08:00Criminal Justice Senior Seminar<b><u>Criminal Justice Senior Seminar</u></b>
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-<i><a href="http://www.culver.edu/">Back to Culver-Stockton Official Website</a></i>C-SChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738997847956959354noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-54893428416570859372011-05-06T10:21:00.000-07:002011-05-06T10:38:03.651-07:00A little late on the draw<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hE3uDKM-Lts/TcQx1PNhDqI/AAAAAAAAABQ/GOQmuRX_Zo4/s1600/DSCF3553.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603658627041791650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hE3uDKM-Lts/TcQx1PNhDqI/AAAAAAAAABQ/GOQmuRX_Zo4/s320/DSCF3553.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>So I feel like I should probably blog about our last day, even if it is a bit late, just to be safe.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The ladies of room 606 and I packed up our crap and lugged it downstairs and into the room behind the front desk. Then we marched through the rain and into the metro station (most of us were able to make it without jaywalking...) We were stuffed into the train, and some small people that got on after filled in the spaces between us. That was truly a great bonding experience. We made it to the Division of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and started our tour. To be honest, this wasn't one of my favorite things. They are an amazing organization, and I was floored to find out how involved they are in every bomb, violent crime, and arson investigation across the country. But the presentations just seemed to drag on. They really do seem to be like a secretive background organization that no one really knows much about. But the last presenter really brought everything together, and brought a lot more energy to the day. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We had been planning on trying to go to the Smithsonian with our free time in the afternoon, but the ATF presentation took nearly two hours longer than we thought it would. So instead, we just headed back to the hotel and changed and went to lunch. After that, we left for the airport. The Baltimore airport was a <em>much </em>better experience than St. Louis, and we checked in and made it through security (all of us were body scanned,) in less than thirty minutes. So we had several hours to hang out in the airport. We wandered around the shops for a while, then settled in to wait. Again, I would like to apologize to Mrs. B. for my comment about Dallas's personal business. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The flight back was a little late, but uneventful, and we made it back to campus just before 1:00. Overall, it was an amazing trip, and I am so thankful I was able to go.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-38867210540151997912011-05-05T16:57:00.000-07:002011-05-05T20:59:47.778-07:00Washington D.C. Trip Day Four<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yiRdeRA-ZIU/TcM7jr1o7NI/AAAAAAAAABE/5GqZv-3oRZs/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603387845628194002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yiRdeRA-ZIU/TcM7jr1o7NI/AAAAAAAAABE/5GqZv-3oRZs/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" /></a> The last day in Washington D.C. we visited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This bureau is very interesting and definately one that needs to be in existance in this country. I really enjoyed aspects of explosives and firearms because this area really interests me. The very last speaker that we heard from really kept my attention because he showed us all of the equipment that he used and really interacted well with the students. My favorite aspect of the visit was the show and tell of the equipment and being able to handle the guns. Of course they were not loaded and completely safe, but still very cool.<br /><br />After leaving the ATF, we went for lunch at Ted's Montana Grill. They had the best burgers that I have had in a very long time. Kudos to them. I reccommend that restaurant to anyone. The restaurant not only had great food, but also used green and recycled products in their establishment. That is definately dedication.<br /><br />The flight back was also very interesting and the pilot made it all the more entertaining. It was the best flight I had ever been on and I would request that crew any other time that I flew Southwest.<br /><br />Overall, the trip to Washington D.C. was great and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to all of those that made it possible. Especially Professor Bradshaw, Trish Bradshaw, and Judy Abbott for putting up with all of us. It was great way to finish a semester at Culver-Stockton College.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-42774036292445640512011-05-05T14:19:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:31:32.318-07:00The last day in Washington. We went to ATF and had a tour of th building. There was a memorial outside the building with those that have been killed and they recently discovered a Native Indian that was involved a long time ago and added him to the wall. It sounds like a really dangerous job. The inside was really pretty, it was all mostly made of glass. The ceiling was plastic so that if there was an explosive it would blow up rather than out. The tour guides talked at each one of the displays in the building. ATF started with the alcohol prohabition. They talked about arson investigations and tobacco. After the displays we saw the auditorium and then talked to three different people. One talked about the history of ATF, bombs, and then the group that is basically a SWAT team. He brought all of his equiptment and explained how it is really similar to what the military would use. He explained what it takes to become someone like him and what he and his team does. After that we walked back to the hotel and had lunch. We waited around until it was time to head back to the airport. Overall the last day went well. We got to tour the ATF and have free time to look around until we left. It was long day of traveling and although the trip was fun, it is also nice to be back.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-40208911341061582812011-05-05T12:16:00.001-07:002011-05-05T12:26:30.868-07:00last day, final thoughtsUnfortunately, I was unable to blog yesterday (on the actual last day), but today seems more appropriate because I've really had time to step back and think over my time spent in DC. <br />Yesterday, our group visited ATF. It was very interesting, but, in my opinion, the tour and lectures seemed to drag. The building itself was constructed in a way that it itself is prepared for any number of problems that the 'company' itself is trained to fight against. It was very clever on their part. I wish that we could have seen a little more of the building. The lectures, I'm sure, were very educational, it just seemed to drag on and on. It wasn't until the last person (the firearm expert) began his discussion that I really was able to focus and pay attention. It wasn't the fact that he was in firearms, because the previouis lecturers had given us a history of the ATF and an explosives expert talked about his job. He was just energized and to-the-point. I think it was the fact that he was in the military. He always got to the meat of the discussion and cut everything else out. I also found it interesting that our tour guide had been a part of the INS like my father before he moved on to work as a special agent for the ATF.<br />After that, we all ate lunch/dinner and went to the airport. The flight was very fun and the pilot was SO much fun. He was cracking jokes left and right and I loved it!<br />I had an excellent experience in D.C. and I hope that classes in the future are able to go there again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-5275055149160485262011-05-05T11:30:00.000-07:002011-05-05T12:20:19.503-07:00Mike Aleksick Day FourOn our fourth day in D.C. we took a trip to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATF</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">headquarters</span>. We started the tour by looking at some displays and telling us about how they are involved in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">different</span> thing that they do. They talked about how they were basically started because of alcohol and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Prohibition</span>. Then they started getting into tobacco because people would buy tobacco in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">different</span> states and sell them for a profit in another state. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATF</span></span> also deals <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">with</span> firearms. They talked about how they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">delt</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">with</span> arson and explosives and that something i found interesting because the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATF's</span></span> name is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">alcohol</span>, tobacco, and fire arms so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> what i thought they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">delt</span></span> with. So i learned something new. The last part of our tour was the best i personally think. They had a guy come in that was basically in the swat team for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATF</span></span>. He pulled out all his equipment and showed it to us. He had like 8 guns he showed us. Along with all is suits and equipment. Once he was done with his presentation he let us touch and hold on to all his equipment. He let some of the people suit up in his protective gear which was really cool. He also let us hold he <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guns</span> and see what they felt like.<br />Once he got done explaining what he did i think i found my dream job. It would be amazing if one day i was part of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">task</span> force he is part of. This trip was amazing and i would tell everyone who is thinking of going to D.C. for vacation to do it because its <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">somehting</span></span> you will never forget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-23836203867141235352011-05-05T07:10:00.000-07:002011-05-05T07:21:25.115-07:00We're homeWhat a great trip with a fantastic group of young adults. Thanks to all of you for making my boss (Trish) feel welcome. I want to also send a shout-out to Prof. Abbott and Deanne Whiston for all of the advance planning and work they did to make this trip possible. I had such a great time with all of you individually and it was super getting to know you better. It just reinforces my opinion about what a super bunch of young people we have on campus. Thanks for the mementoes and special thanks for the memories which I'll take with me into retirement!<br /><br />Prof. B.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-31603589051590632732011-05-03T22:19:00.000-07:002011-05-03T22:26:05.335-07:00jeremy WarningI had a wounderful time touring the FBI academy and the monuments. Then I went on to see my friend at her deaf collge. It was interesting and different way their college is set up. Only thing that scared me was that it was in the bad neighborhood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-48692994520833255222011-05-03T20:39:00.000-07:002011-05-03T21:33:47.047-07:00Washington D.C. Trip Day Three<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Esjta5jNcVg/TcDL86Uav2I/AAAAAAAAAA8/1bhgzupEMMg/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602702183756382050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Esjta5jNcVg/TcDL86Uav2I/AAAAAAAAAA8/1bhgzupEMMg/s320/IMG_0720.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtLwEwDEXq8/TcDL8f-OX6I/AAAAAAAAAA0/tY8-YJpJtvc/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602702176683974562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtLwEwDEXq8/TcDL8f-OX6I/AAAAAAAAAA0/tY8-YJpJtvc/s320/IMG_0653.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eV5jiPZCfMI/TcDL75sJqgI/AAAAAAAAAAs/kyf6q-3k-zs/s1600/IMG_0648.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602702166407621122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eV5jiPZCfMI/TcDL75sJqgI/AAAAAAAAAAs/kyf6q-3k-zs/s320/IMG_0648.JPG" /></a><br />On day three we visited the FBI Academy, Arlington National Cemetery, and numerous memorials. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We started off at the FBI Academy where we toured the facilities and became exposed to many of the training facilities and buildings used for the academy. The tour was very efficient and informative. I learned a lot about the FBI and how they train new agents. My favorite parts of the FBI Academy were Hogan's Alley and the Behavioral Science Unit. Hogan's Alley because it was a small town built specifically for training new agents. They would schedule <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">activities</span> such as bank robberies and executing search warrant to train agents in real life situations. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then we visited the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Air force</span> Memorial and it was really beautiful. The three part monument was very representative of the ideals of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Air force</span>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then we visited Arlington National Cemetery where we spent many hours looking at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">grave sites</span> of many of our fallen soldiers or other important figures in American history. I really enjoyed getting to see the changing of on duty guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The concept behind this tomb is devastating because they had no idea who these people were. The walk was really long, but worth the time that we spent remembering and honoring many important people. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The Korean War Memorial was beautiful as well and helped remember the lives that were lost for the cost of freedom. My favorite part of the monument was a quote inscribed on the wall that said, "Freedom is not free." This statement is so true regarding the losses of the Korean War.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My favorite memorial was the Lincoln Memorial which normally has a beautiful view with the reflecting pool, but it was being worked on. Lincoln is my favorite President and getting to see a memorial in his honor was fantastic.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Overall, the day was really great. We did a lot of walking but seeing the beauty behind the memorials made it all worth it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tomorrow is our last day in D.C. and we are visiting the ATF. More to come tomorrow.</div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-32745294419169873602011-05-03T20:11:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:38:08.006-07:00D.C. TRIP DAY 3 T.F.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GblAibvzY4A/TcDIqdd3VLI/AAAAAAAAAAc/cKNnZRV156Y/s1600/P1010120.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602698568238847154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GblAibvzY4A/TcDIqdd3VLI/AAAAAAAAAAc/cKNnZRV156Y/s320/P1010120.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5ij-ySolYM/TcDIqFvW-2I/AAAAAAAAAAU/A0SW6WcExoM/s1600/P1010077.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602698561869773666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5ij-ySolYM/TcDIqFvW-2I/AAAAAAAAAAU/A0SW6WcExoM/s320/P1010077.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Dear world,</div><br /><br /><div>Today was very long but well worth it. We visited the FBI Academy and several other monuments. </div><br /><br /><div>The FBI Academy was very inspiring. I plan on going to law school and becoming a lawyer but I have often questioned how long I want to practice law. This trip definitely opened my eyes to a possible future interest in the FBI once I reach that point in my life. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All of the monuments we saw were much larger and more impressive than I imagined they would be. I think my favorite was the U.S. Marine Corp Memorial. The detail and size in combination with the what this statue represents meant the most to me. Arlington Memorial was amazing. We had the priviledge of watching a ceremony. The precise percision of the guards was very impressive. I liked it a lot. I feel like I saw so much today but only uncovered a fraction of what this area offers.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>To all my Blogger.com fans,</div><br /><div>Trey Flournoy</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-69722674299717801842011-05-03T19:55:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:01:09.480-07:00Good Night and Good Luck!!This is Jess Deters and we are live from Washington D.C. , I would first like to say that this trip is awesome. I have had experiences that even if I came here on my own I would not have had the encounters I did as a class trip. It was a great bonding experience with some of the fellow criminal justice majors.<br /><br />The FBI was AMAZING and when the guide tells you, "you cannot take pictures of people because the agents might be undercover and you cannot compromise their missions, " you know that it is pretty serious. The memorials were there to be appreciated and yet they were heart-felt and rewarding in away that words cannot describe.<br /><br />I must sign off with good night and good luck, this is Jess Deters reporting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-63011520088092986002011-05-03T19:22:00.000-07:002011-05-03T19:52:47.579-07:00Mike Aleksick Day ThreeToday we got up around 530 to get ready to go to the FBI training center, which was awesome. The FBI training center had a lot of cool things that i <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> know they had there for training purposes. They had a huge city built by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walt Disney</span> so they could train and make it feel realistic. they also have 20 or so people that they pay to act in these scenarios the make for the students. The FBI training facility was one of the coolest things we have done on the trip so far I think. We then headed to some on the national monuments like U.S. Marine War Memorial and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Arlington</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cemetery</span>. These were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">absolutely</span> amazing. They were the coolest thing i have ever seen when it comes to monuments. They were so massive and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inspirational</span>. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cemetery</span> was the most interesting because we got to see the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unknown</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">soldiers monument where they did the changing of the guard and colors. These were cerimony they did when they changed the guard who guarded the memorial and when they changed flower arangement. When they changed the guard it was so intense. The soldiers did the exact same steps and moved the same way. It was like they were the same person almost. Today was a wonderful day and i cant wait to see what we have in store for us tomarrow.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-16812714637274982192011-05-03T18:39:00.000-07:002011-05-03T19:10:34.285-07:00Today we did a lot nd it started out really early.<br /><br />We went to the FBI Academy first which was neat. There was definately a lot of security there. I liked the twin tower memorial and it suprised me that they had a piece of the plane. Also I had no idea a guy knew something was about to happen and its ironic and sad he happened to be in the twin towers when they were hit. We also saw the pentagon and how it was discolored on one side. The planes now have to fly in above the river ever since 9/11 occured. It was rally cool to see bin laden's most wanted picture and it had a red tape saying basically he was taken out and killed. They had an entire fake town and it was crazy that each of the houses in that town were about $400,000. The FBI sounds really hard to get into and is a dangerous job, we saw those in the FBI that had died n the job. They also had a behavioral science part of the FBI and we saw a real brain. This sounds like a really cool job, investigating the behavior and ways terrorists and crazy/sick people like Hannibal Lecter.<br /><br />After the FBI academy we saw the airforce memorial, the Arlington National cemetery, Korean and Vietnam memorials, and the Lincoln and Washington monuments. They bury 25 people at the Arlington National cemetery a day but the selection is very limited to who can be there. There were so many graves and they were all lined up prefectly. The whole place was very peaceful, minus all the tourism, and pretty. It was very interesting to watch the guards guard the unknown. They really take that seriously and they guard it 24 hours a day switching every half an hour.<br /><br />All of the other memorials were neat, especially the wall. There were so many names and it went on for a long time. A lot of letters, flowers, crosses, and even a couple beers were left below the names. We did a lot of walking around today but it was a nice day to be outside. Our bus tour guide did a really good job he was a funny guy.<br /><br />Its been a fun day and tomorrow we go to the ATF. We leave tomorrow night, time has gone by fast here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-84814579419199143552011-05-03T18:26:00.000-07:002011-05-03T18:37:58.387-07:00TresTo start off, the morning wake-up call nearly killed me. Five-fifteen in the morning was absolutely appalling and I felt that no sooner did I close my eyes that I was forced to wake up and get ready for the day. <br />On the drive to the FBI, I was able to relax and get a little bit more rest before our day of tours began. Sitting in the bus for an extra hour was fun. I was able to talk to my friends more and spend more quality time with them.<br />The FBI as a whole was not what I was expecting. Granted, I didn't think that I would be taught and shown the same things that agents were exposed to...but I thought that maybe we would be able to tour the classroom setting or see agents practicing shooting at the range. That didn't happen. My favorite part of that tour had to be the Hannibal Lector cage in the basement of the Behavioral Science Unity (BSU). <br />I loved touring the monuments. As I've said in other posts, I have been looking forward to re-visiting D.C. since the last time I traveled in eighth grade. My favorite parts of today had to be visiting Arlington National Cemetary and the Lincoln Memorial. As morbid as it sounds, the cemetary was incredibly peaceful and relaxing. There was such a strong sense of good energy there. The weather, as well, was perfect. I was so so happy to finally have been able to visit it. Watching the changing of the guards ceremony was also very interesting. <br />My favorite monument had to be the Lincoln Memorial. I felt a different, but good, energy there. At Arlington, I felt a sense of pride and bravery and duty... but at the Lincoln Memorial, there's an energy of hope and naivety- in the best way possible. It's very inspiring. <br />Other than that, my feet hurt SO much :( but I would still chalk it up as a good day to be in THE city!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-38111641002725497892011-05-03T17:13:00.000-07:002011-05-03T17:49:05.395-07:00"That's me at heart, just a little lizard cowboy"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QIpXrrmVc-k/TcCibwoiNBI/AAAAAAAAABI/hZMtcFDvRXM/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602656534243980306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QIpXrrmVc-k/TcCibwoiNBI/AAAAAAAAABI/hZMtcFDvRXM/s320/019.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Today started out <em>very, very </em>early with a bus ride out to Quantico for a tour at the FBI Academy. We had to wait a little while to get in, but once we got there, we got to see not only large parts of the academy building, but also some of their training facilities as well. We went to one section of the compound called "Hogan's Alley" which is a town entirely constructed by Walt Disney for the FBI for training new agents. It contains shops, a bank, and homes. The agents use it to practice hostage and tactical situations. It was really amazing. But my very favorite part of the FBI Academy was the 9/11 memorial. They had two pillars representing the towers, and pieces of the fusilage of the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, one of the towers, and a piece of the Pentagon as well.<br /><br />After we left the FBI and had lunch, we started a bus tour of the important sites to see in Washington. We started with the Air Force Memorial, which few, if any of us, had ever heard of before. After that, we went on to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Our next stop was Arlington National Cemetary, which was far more massive than I ever could have imagined. We also walked further than I thought possible. After that we went on to the Korean and Vietnam Memorials, and the Lincoln and Washington Monuments. They were all fantastic, but Lincoln was my favorite. It was just so big, and so recognizable. I was dissapointed that the reflecting pool was under construction though. Major bummer.<br /><br />But now we are back at the hotel, and we can barely walk. Had some interesting discussions at dinner, and I'm sure we will all be sad to go back tomorrow, even though it will be nice to get home.<br /><br />Tonight: Sleeeeeeeep. (And hopefully 16 & Pregnant.)<br />Tomorrow: ATF and free time. Smithsonian?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-59064313950760225622011-05-03T16:55:00.001-07:002011-05-03T17:14:56.588-07:00D.C.'s TuesdayToday was an exceptionally amazing day. We saw what seemed to be like everything in the city. It's hard to describe the way some of the sights can make a person feel. Naturally, I would assume that everyone finds a different liking in each Memorial or Monument. All I can say confidently is that I enjoyed today's bus tour. We had a great driver/guide who gave a lot of information at a lot of different stops. I'm going to keep from preaching about how great I thought everything was. It's something that every American needs to experience first hand; however, there is one thing in particular that left me nowhere shy of speechless today. While we were at Arlington National Cemetery, we were fortunate enough to witness the change of guards at the Tomb of the Unknown. I will never be able to describe what exactly I was feeling as I saw the amount of pride, reverence, and honor these men portrayed as they went through the specific routine. One thing is for sure, it will be very hard for me to experience something so dear to honor of the military than what I did today.Brett Cramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824094686422230545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-7576099404029931992011-05-02T21:44:00.000-07:002011-05-02T22:06:39.920-07:00Day Two.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yI42keO-CTo/Tb-MH-muT8I/AAAAAAAAAAU/vfwWTpoHZZ0/s1600/stuff%2B092.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yI42keO-CTo/Tb-MH-muT8I/AAAAAAAAAAU/vfwWTpoHZZ0/s320/stuff%2B092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602350530164576194" /></a> I took this picture....<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Day two was a number of firsts for me, the first of which being the Subway. As a young gentleman from rural North East Missouri, public transit in metropolitan areas is always something i find baffling. Our mode of transportation aside I find that one of the most awe inspiring things about this trip has been simply standing at the foot of our Nations Capitol. That is just the sheer size, but the history of the building itself is enough to keep one entranced, today I stood at the very center of Washington DC inside the Capitol, I saw and walked through the same hallways just as many great Americans before me. It was honestly one of the prouder moments of my American life. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Secondly, we went to the holocaust museum... A terribly eye opening experience. One often hears of the terrible things that happened during that time, however, no movie, no well written book or article can truly communicate the atrocities that befell the Jewish people quite like walking through a box car that they were transported in, or looking at one of the actual bunks from Auschwitz... That experience is something that I find myself struggling to describe, the only thing i could say is one must experience the museum itself to even begin to scratch the surface of understanding those events.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Than we went to dinner and now i sit in my room listening to Led Zeppelin before bed... Fewer things are better than this! So now i will prepare for my 5:30 appointment with the world tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">- Patrick</span></div><div> </div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-46701681563549380702011-05-02T21:08:00.000-07:002011-05-02T21:41:38.256-07:00Mike Aleksick Day TwoWe had a very eventful day two. We found out very early this morning that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Osama</span> Bin Laden was killed. This had Washington going crazy. There was a ton of people in front of the White House and we almost went but decided not to since we had a busy day planned for all of us. The first thing we had planned was going to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Capital</span>. I know <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">everyone</span> seen picture of the Capital and that its big, but it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">doesn't</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">compare</span> to the real thing. The building is massive. The coolest part of the tour was looking up at the dome and how big it was. After we went to the Capital we went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. This Museum was so cool. They had all kinds of Holocaust artifacts like a box car that they used to bring in prisoners and a room of shoes the people used to wear. It was very interesting. We were allowed to talk threw the Cart and once we were in it you got a since that it was haunted or you could tell it gave you an uneasy feeling. We ended the day eating a very delicious <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Italian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">restaurant</span> where they served family style meals. So we left that place stuffed. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tomorrow</span> is going to be a fun day. So until then i talk to you guys later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-68491176771822546832011-05-02T21:03:00.000-07:002011-05-02T21:45:38.664-07:00D.C. TRIP DAY 2 T.F.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6se1NAjhdE4/Tb-IF37IM3I/AAAAAAAAAAM/FEEu6Mc5X0E/s1600/P1010051.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602346095964861298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6se1NAjhdE4/Tb-IF37IM3I/AAAAAAAAAAM/FEEu6Mc5X0E/s320/P1010051.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Dear Potential Readers,<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Where should I start? A lot of things have happened since I blogged last night. I suppose I'll go in chronological order and start with the biggest event of the day. We saw on the news late last night that Osama had been killed. What an amazing feeling. The U.S. finally brought justice to a terrorist, something that should have happened years ago. What was even better was that I was in the nation's capital the night of this huge American accomplishment. A group of us debated going to the White House and partying with the other few thousand that were already there. Unfortuately, the reality of going down there was a bad idea. We decided to stay in the hotel and make sure we did not risk our trip.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We woke up at 7:00 A.M. and got ready. We left the hotel and headed out for our adventerous day. First, we went to Capital Hill and went on the tour. The tour was very nice. We got to see the statue room which was also the original room the House debated in. The dome was pretty amazing as well. The dome stretches 18 stories high. This means that if you took the statue of liberty off of it's base, it could fit inside the dome without touching.<br /><br /><br />When then made our way to the Holocaust Museum. I've studied the Holocaust before but this Museum really gave the viewer a 1st hand look at how real this was. They had several original artifacts and it is a must see for anyone who has a desire to learn about history.<br /><br />When then had dinner at the Buca and it was amazing. The picture above in this blog explains everything.<br /><br />To all my Blogger.com fans,<br />Trey FlournoyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-55681998574499584092011-05-02T20:57:00.000-07:002011-05-02T21:04:59.360-07:00Day Two---Signing OnToday when we went to the Capitol I was picked to be searched for explosives. It was interesting. Back to last night, we all sat together as history unraveled on CNN and decided that we could not go to the white house because no one wanted to go to jail. <br /><br />The Holocaust was worth a lifetime of memories and was humbling to know that the past is still curent in a way. The lives that were lost need to be noted and remembered and have a personal moment for what those people had to endure. The fact that we can learn from that and change the future is a hands-on experience.<br /><br />Until tomorrow good luck and good night!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-47990297438696825562011-05-02T20:51:00.000-07:002011-05-02T20:59:58.208-07:00D.C.day 2. had a great time visiting the capital and touring the Holocaust Museum. buca de bippo fue muy delicioso y me gustaria a ir a alli de nuevo!Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184345533998490743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-73328487306373405712011-05-02T20:39:00.000-07:002011-05-02T20:49:05.601-07:00Things that make you appreciate life.We started out our day taking the subway to the Capitol where we learned all about the history of the US Capitol building, the different statues and how they got there. We stopped for lunch at the Capitol then made the journey to the Holocaust Museaum which might have been one of the most depressing things I have ever seen. It really makes you question how people can trust someone that is very enthusiastic about getting something passed and in congress. Hitler was a very chrasmatic person that just had an alternitive motive than what the German people thought initially. I also do not understand how people cannot think that it didnt happen...you cant just fake all of the dead bodies, videos and pictures. To all you non believers...It DID happen and if you are a skeptic go to the museaum and it will make a believer out of you. Guaranteed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-81241067209237942932011-05-02T20:20:00.000-07:002011-05-02T20:27:29.476-07:00Jeremy WarningI had a wonderful time touring Washington D.C . today. It was interesting to see all of the interesting features of the capital and the museum. I thought that it was interesting to see the large amount shoes that were collected for the exhibit at the museum. I would have to say that today was a success and i am happy to have been apart of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-43897124803551410002011-05-02T18:55:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:04:21.552-07:00Monday in D.C.It felt pretty cool being in D.C. after last night's news. Staying up to watch the numbers of people pile up outside of the White House just added to the strong American pride already portrayed here. The tours today were very interesting. The sights definitely support the reason for making the trip. This place is definitely a must-see. After getting called back through a security check and having the train ticket-taker thinger (yes, I made that word up) try to keep me from going with the class, the day proceeded very smoothly for both me and the class. Hopefully tomorrow brings another day of opportunity with a few less obstacles. I am also going to try to demonstrate a little more common sense over the next two days as well. After all, "it's not rocket science."Brett Cramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824094686422230545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-38259875546743299572011-05-02T17:42:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:42:24.062-07:00Washington D.C. Trip Day Two<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpmjX1SViG0/Tb9QZr-CwYI/AAAAAAAAAAM/KRNTsVRCgBY/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284863702090114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpmjX1SViG0/Tb9QZr-CwYI/AAAAAAAAAAM/KRNTsVRCgBY/s320/IMG_0587.JPG" /></a> (Above: The painted dome ceiling in the U.S. Capitol Building)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Well to start off tonights entry, I have managed to keep my license and all other important objects safe. It was really interesting that we ended up being in Washington D.C. at the same time as Bin Laden was killed. It would have been interesting to go party with the others outside the white house gates, but with the possibility of getting arrested looming over head the idea just kind of passed. ( AKA: no bail money)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Day two of our adventure began with continental breakfast which was surprising rather good, kudos to the hotel. Not just the bagel and donuts, but you could get french toast sticks, eggs, and sausage even. Good times. Then after breakfast we head over to catch the metro to our first destination: The U.S. Capitol Building. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We took the metro to the Capitol South terminal and ventured our way towards the capitol building. It turns out that we couldn't have picked a better day to be tourists in our nation's capitol, the weather was beautiful. Much better than the constant changing weather in our neck of the woods. The walk over was very nice because we passed several other really cool places as well that would be nice to visit, such as the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. When we reached the Capitol building we of course had to scanned through again, all of this security is crazy, but I'm sure its important to keeping everyone safe. Once we got inside there were so many beautiful statues including Helen Keller, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. We watched this really neat documentary about the nation's capital and the uniqueness of our nation itself. Then we went through the tour itself and it was very informative. Not only was it informative, but the tour guide was very interactive and funny, which kept the tour alive. You almost need some laughter to keep the party going in a building full of marble statues and paintings sometimes. We also had lunch in the restaurant located in the Capitol Building, the food was pretty decent and was not a very bad nice. Overall, the trip to the U.S. Capitol building was very informative and kept visit really very interesting. The most interesting fact I noticed was that the painting around the top edge of the dome took a really long time to complete because the original painter measured wrong when it came to the original plans. So this painting series was completed by another painter many, many years later.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>After leaving the Capitol buliding we took the metro over to our second destination of the day, The Holocaust Museum. I have been to a smaller version of the museum in St. Louis, but the impact that seeing all of the pictures and artifacts never gets an easier. The part that I always remember most is the display of shoes that came from the concentration camps. It is unthinkable that any human being would be able to do that to another human being, but we all know that this idea of genocide has happened or is happening in other places in the world too. Some human beings are just cruel or are convinced that their actions are okay. The Holocaust Museum visit was really good was really great because you could see everything and listen to everything at your own pace. I really enjoy not being rushed through when I want to read something or listen to someone speak. Visiting this museum is something that everyone should do in their life time because we do not want this to happen again. It is also so hard to believe that some people during this time period are starting to question the truth behind the holocaust, when the evidence is so apparent. A great quote that I saw inside that really stuck with me because it is so true and very powerful was: </div><br /><br /><div>"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me". </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Our final stop for the day was dinner at a place called Buca di Beppo and it was the first time I had ever even heard of the restaurant. It was an italian restaurant and it had a lot of very good food. The wait staff was very attentive and even let us take to go boxes. I really enjoyed the restaurant and would consider going back in the future. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Overall, the day was very good, but very tiring with all of the walking and just being out all day. Tomorrow will be fantastic as well so come back for more. </div><br /><br /><div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110343932408649132.post-17195751845698182502011-05-02T17:39:00.000-07:002011-05-02T18:07:00.577-07:00Today was very eventful. We went to Capitol building first. I thought it was really cool to see the freedom statue ontop of the capitol and I was suprised at how much they said it weighed. The ceiling art in the capitol building was the neatest thing I saw as well as the drawings that told the history of the United States. It took a long time, and it was neat how they made it look 3D.<br /><br />Next we went to the Holocaust. I have already been to a haulocaust museum but this one had a lot more inforation and exhibits to look at. There was this children's part where you saw a normal boy's bedroom and house. As you went through, you saw letters on the walls from a young boy and things get progressively worse in the house. The conditions start to change and it went to a nice home to a room that portrayed a family bedroom in one of the camps. Then it went to another room where it had a dirt floor and metal, wires on the floor. The room was cold and damp feeling. I thought this was really thoughtful to have people walk throuh the chages and to be able to get a feeling of how quickly and drastically the environment changed. It was an eye opener for me.<br /><br />There was a lot of pictures and the one that sticks out in my mind the most is the one of these four young boys, ten years or younger, that looked as skiny as a pole. It was disturbing to see that they were slowly starved to deah. The looks in their faces was really sad to see. They also used many jews in the camp for experiments-like one was to see how cold a person could handle, they placed the jew in a freezing bathtub. This person ended up dying shorty after.<br /><br />Many young children and infants that came to the camps were sent directly to be gased. The whole thing is hard to believe people were allowed to treat others like that and it's scary that many had no second thoughts to killing an infant, a small child, or watching people slowly starve to death. People were completely evil and sick. Although it was disturbing, it is important that every generation learns about the Holocaust to remember the victims and how bad things were for many people. It's an important piece of history that can't be compared to anything else. It involved completely innocent people, including children and infants. Hitler wanted to wipe out an entire group of people because he believed they were inferior.<br /><br />In all, the day was very good. It was a lot of walking around but it was well worth it. Towards the end of the day, it was also cool to see the President drive by being swarmed with cop cars. But, I would never work in Washington D.C. the metro, the bussy, rushing people is too much. I'd have a headache everyday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com