Today started with a jolly stroll through the neighborhood up the street to the Armed Forces Retirement Home. If you’ve never been to this place, it is pretty great- it’s quiet and secluded, and almost seems like a college campus for a different generation. When we got there, the staff had already decorated for the St. Patty’s Day party we were having for the residents... we got to go and help bring some of them down for the big sha-bang. Once we got them settled with cupcakes (complete with green sprinkles) and soda or beer (for those of age!) we really got to spend time talking with them, about anything and everything. I think every single person on this trip can say that it was a great experience- these are the people who served our country in so many wars, and they are the ones with the real stories of our country’s history. Just a couple hours with them has taught me more than my American History class I took last semester, and I wish we could have more time with them. One of the girls (Maryanne) actually talked to a woman who was one of the first women to serve in the Army, and as she puts it, she was “a pioneer of that generation and of all women in our history”- how awesome is that?! And probably the most powerful thing I took from the whole experience was that every single Vet I talked to, who has participated in the toughest challenges that humans face, can still say that he or she truly lived a great and memorable life. I just hope when I am their age I can reflect on my own life and be happy with what I have accomplished.
After the St. Patty’s Day party, we were off to another party- an Alumni Reception with some of our fellow Terps! It was at the Navy Memorial, and it’s pretty amazings. If you know someone who was a member of the Navy, you should definitely take them there and let them log into the Servicemen Registry- they can even look up and hopefully reconnect with fellow Navy men and women! Before all of the alum arrived, we got a private screening of a video showcasing many of the missions of the Navy. However romanticized it might have been, it is still incredible what they do. Now, the dinner was fabulous. It was our first time eating a meal with people other than ourselves, and our first dinner out of the hostel, which was very exciting for us. We got to meet some of the wonderful people who make ASB possible for us, and I know we were all honored to be there. Most of us got the chance to really sit down and talk to Kirby Bowling, who has served in Iraq, and among several other things, is helping the Vets who are coming to UMD. There were several really great ideas that we discussed with him for future events we can do with our very own Vets, so we should all be looking out for them soon!!! The day just reinforced how much we have all already learned the past few days of this trip, and how much we want to keep doing in the future when we get back to school. It will be the spring break that never ends… in a good way!
Well, that’s all for now- Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!
-Michelle
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