Thursday was an exciting day for the 19’s. In the morning, we visited the Pentagon and were given a VIP tour by a special friend of Norfolk Academy. He told us about some of the history of the Pentagon and his views on U.S. involvement in the Middle East. We were also able to find the legendary purple water fountain and visit the hallway of the Secretary of Defense. We then paid tribute at the Pentagon Memorial in honor of the men, women, and children who died as a result of the terrorist events of 9/11. After the Pentagon, we enjoyed some Ethiopian cuisine from Keren’s restaurant in Washington D.C. After our hearty meal, we went to the Estonian Embassy where we were treated with a taste of Estonian diplomacy by Tanel Sepp. Mr. Sepp explained how Estonia plays it’s part in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the EU (European Union). After the Estonian Embassy, we went to the hotel before heading off to Ray’s Hell Burgers where President Obama has enjoyed a meal on more than one occasion. This was especially interesting because one hungry Hispanic decided to order a massive milkshake and the Hot Mess and was unsurprisingly unable to finish it! Back at the hotel we played the drawing game before going back to our rooms and getting a good night’s sleep in anticipation for the day ahead.

– Alexander Burkett