Golden Bears Explore the Nation’s Capital: A Journey Through History and Leadership

The East High School JROTC Battalion began its annual Washington, D.C. field trip on Monday, March 25th, with a visit to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a site rich in American history. Students explored significant landmarks such as the site of John Brown’s Raid, the historic Niagara Conventions, and Storer College, the first Black college in West Virginia. Harpers Ferry also served as one of the locations where Lewis and Clark stopped to prepare for their expedition westward.

On Tuesday, March 26th, the students began their day early, waking at 5:45 a.m. and departing for Arlington National Cemetery and Washington, D.C. by 7:00 a.m. At Arlington, they visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and several prominent gravesites. The day continued in the nation's capital, where students visited landmarks including the Supreme Court, Capitol Building, White House, Ford’s Theater, Department of Justice, FBI Headquarters, and the Department of the Treasury. They also toured many of the major monuments such as the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial.

After an extensive day of walking—covering over 12 miles—the group returned for dinner and capped off the evening with some fun at K1 Speedway, where students had the chance to test their driving skills on the racetrack. The evening ended with lights out by 10:30 p.m., as the cadets rested up for their final day. In all, the group walked 12 miles through DC and Arlington and were tired.

On Wednesday, March 27th, the students once again started early, following the same morning routine and hitting the road by 7:30 a.m. for a visit to the Manassas National Battlefield, the site of two major Civil War battles in 1861 and 1862. The students were given a special tour by the park’s lead ranger, Greg Wolf, who guided them through the historic grounds as they walked another two miles.

As the group makes their way back to Youngstown, with an expected arrival around 5:00 p.m., students are wrapping up the trip with a 25-question quiz worth 100 points, ensuring they not only had a memorable experience but also an academic one. The cadets have consistently impressed others with their courtesy, maturity, and positive behavior, earning praise from hotel staff and the many adults they encountered during the trip. The journey has been both educational and unforgettable for all involved.

DC Trip