By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - From Civil War battlefields at Gettysburg to The Capitol Steps' satire of political personalities they just met, Cass County's Citizenship Washington Focus delegates say their whirlwind week left them with memories to last a lifetime.
That sentiment resonated with Commissioner Gordon Bickel Sr., who participated in such an experience in his youth.
Five participants collaborated on a highlights presentation Thursday night to the Board of Commissioners, including: Kaitlyn Wagley of Edwardsburg, Silver Spurs 4-H club; Jenna Bowman of Niles, Mechanicsburg; Stephanie Thorpe and Sean Thorpe of Niles, Country Clovers; and Whitney Podell of Dowagiac, Silver Spurs.
Leading off, Kaitlyn said they departed "Saturday, very early" for their June 11-18 adventure in the nation's capitol.
After a daylong bus ride, they arrived in Pennsylvania that evening.
Monday night they drank in the sights of Washington after dark, including the Jefferson Memorial.
Tuesday, on Capitol Hill, they met Michigan Democratic Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, who was expected to visit Dowagiac today.
They learned about the crafting of legislation in Congress and had tickets to attend the Senate in session, "but we were not able to do that due to time constraints," Kaitlyn commented. "We also ran into other dignitaries, which was really, really exciting," including Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee for president, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Dick Durbin, who is a third cousin of commission Chairman Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township.
Jenna went to the podium next, picking up the narrative with Wednesday's visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where they viewed 200,000 "crosses" and the changing of the guard and visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Afternoon sightseeing also took them to memorials for President Abraham Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea and World Wars I and II.
They practiced pushing bills through the two chambers.
Dan Rajzer, county director of Michigan State University Extension, said, "You can see from their reaction that it wasn't all work. They enjoyed themselves and had a wonderful time. Again, we'd like to thank the Board of Commissioners for all the support you've given the youth in the county - especially the 4-H kids we represent. The 4-H Leaders Council paid for half of the cost for these kids to go."
Commissioner David Taylor, D-Edwardsburg, made one correction. There aren't crosses at Arlington, but grave markers.