My Trip to Washington DC!

Written By Cadet CMSgt Hope Lindner

During the Civil Air Patrol National Legislative Trip cadets C/Maj Daniel Machado, C/Maj Nathan Mercer, C/SMSgt Bethany Moore, and myself traveled with senior members to Washington, D.C., for four days to represent South Carolina Wing, Civil Air Patrol. C/Maj Machado and I met with Congressmen Ralph Norman, James Clyburn, and Senator Tim Scott's staff. Cadets Maj Machado, Maj Mercer, SMSgt Moore and the senior members, while being accompanied by C/Capt Shemeke Jones, met with the staff of Jeff Duncan, William Timmons, Lindsey Graham, and Joe Wilson.

In each meeting the senior members discussed the funding for Civil Air Patrol and shared stories about our experiences in the program. Once we finished our meetings with the Congressmen's staff we visited the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, to see The Changing of the Guard and unexpectedly got to witness the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We felt honored to see this happen and to walk through the cemetery in our uniforms.

After, we had dinner with South Carolina Wing Commander, Col Chris Peterson. On the second day the whole legislative group went to the American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Later that day we had the opportunity to meet and speak with the Civil Air Patrol National Commander, Maj Gen Edward Phelka. Lastly, on the trip back to South Carolina, we visited the National Museum of the Marine Corp in Triangle, Virginia. It was an amazing experience to be on this trip. We learned so much and met so many new people.

Check out some photos taken during the trip to DC!