WCC Goes to Washington, Again
By Nolan Belk
In the Spring of 2003, just before Easter, the Yoshino Cherry trees
lining the tidal basin in Washington, DC, reach full bloom, and Wilkes
Community College was there to see the beautiful pink blossoms reflecting in the waters and
framing the famous Jefferson Monument. We weren't visiting just to see the stunning scenery,
however, we were there to learn and grow by putting faces and stories on the Holocaust; by see
ing the evolution of women's history, civil rights, and the unfolding horrors of 9-11 shown in the
National Museum of American History; by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with North Carolina's
newest Senator, Ms. Elizabeth Dole; and by experiencing the multiculturalism present in a city
that is not only the heart of America, but also the center of power and influence for much of the
world.
The WCC group, led by Belinda Smithey, Jeff Hatley, and Nolan Belk, traveled to Washington
by bus, arriving at our hotel, a well-appointed Marriot not far from the Pentagon, in time to relax
only a short time before heading to bed. On our first day in the city, we had big plans: we were to
ride the subway - a first for many of us - to meet Senator Dole at her offices for a group photo
before touring the Capitol Building. Senator Dole was a bit delayed due an important meeting
concerning the War in Iraq, but we learned a great deal from her staff about how the U.S. Con
gress operates and about what Senator Dole does for North Carolina and for America. We did
get our picture with Senator Dole, about whom Valerie Harris said, "It was such an honor to get to
meet Senator Dole."
After our picture with Senator Dole, we headed across the street to the Capitol Building where
we learned about its architecture and history and about the exhibits, mainly statues, on display
inside. From the Capitol, we took a trip to Union Station for lunch and discovered that the place
was filled with people from all over the globe who had come to Washington to see our nation's
capitol. The energy level was amazing with thousands of people coming and going, eating and
conversing, and then going out into the city. We left the station headed for the Washington Mall
where the most famous Smithsonian museums are located. On the way, we took a detour by the
White House and along the Mall not far from the Washington Monument.
When we arrived at the National Museum of American History, we toured exhibits on Civil
Rights, Women's History in America, 9-11, and many others. From this museum, many of us
walked next door to the American Museum of Natural History where the famous dinosaur skele
tons stand watch over the natural world. After a tiring but exciting day of walking and seeing, we
took off to Georgetown, Washington's oldest neighborhood and home to Georgetown University.
In Georgetown, we had a hearty meal in an Italian restaurant before hopping a shuttle bus to visit
the Kennedy Center for a concert on the Millennium Stage. There we saw a string quartet from
the National Symphony Orchestra play an hour of amazing music.
Day two of our trip began with another subway trip to the edge of the Washington Mall near the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Many of us were taking a class on the Holocaust,
and although we knew the experience would be upsetting, we were eager to see the exhibits first
hand. The museum was designed to let groups through in small numbers so that each person
can feel the effect of the exhibits as an individual experience. The effect was tremendous. Ac
cording to Jesse Johnson, "The Holocaust Museum was a good experience because it personal
izes the Holocaust in a way that lasts forever in your heart. The images I saw in that museum will
never leave me." Jamie Waddell was equally affected; she wrote, "my favorite was as we were
leaving the Holocaust museum, there was a writing on the wall that essentially said ... they come
for the homosexuals and no one said anything... then they come for the handicapped and no
one said anything, etc... then they came for me and there was no one left to say anything... -
this I will remember the rest of my life." Few of us managed to leave the Holocaust Museum with
dry eyes, but it was easily the favorite activity of the entire group.
After our visit to the Holocaust Museum, some of us took a tip to the National Zoo where we
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