Brooklyn College has always participated in the Memorial Day celebrations in Washington D.C. Last year was no exception, despite the absence of SPC Bryan Walkes, a vital and excellent organizer of past trips who is presently serving his country in Kosovo. Each year, participation exceeds the previous year because the word spreads around campus. This past year, the Veteran Students' Organization, with sponsorship from several clubs, was able to send 55 students and staff to this memorable event.

     After an hour or so, we re-boarded the bus; this time our destination was the hotel, which proved to be one of the day's highlights. Rooms were assigned, and some of us exchanged numbers so that we could meet later to reminisce about the day's events, past trips, define the meaning of the current trip, eat and relax.

     As early as 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, we left the hotel to explore our nation's capital, exhilarated that we had this opportunity to be a part of history. We visited the Arlington Cemetery, the Robert E. Lee House, the Frederick Douglass House, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, the Rolling Thunder Parade and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The last stop was very emotional for a number of students.

     Monday was the most difficult day because we knew that the bonds we had made with each other would soon be untied. After breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and boarded the bus for the rest of the tour. We visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Women in Military Service Memorial.

     The most difficult part of the trip for most of us was the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, engraved with 58,526 names. Thinking about those names made us break down in tears; we hugged and comforted each other. Although we were unable to stay for the entire procession, we witnessed the presentation and Retiring of Colors by the Military District of Washington. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem along with thousands of well-wishers, who came to pay their respect to loved ones or just to be part of this memorable event. After lunch, we climbed aboard the bus and headed back to Brooklyn College. Our journey back was a time of reflection.

     The coordinators of the trip distributed questionnaires to everyone. This was extremely difficult for most of us because we were asked a series of questions about our experiences on the trip. Some of the responses were: "I have more respect for the military now. I never knew they accomplished so much;" "There's always power in numbers. Our presence in Washington, D.C. showed those who served how much appreciation we have for them."

Wilkens and other trip goers in front of the White House in Washington, D.C.

     "If it were not for the Veteran Students' Organization, I would have never visited these monuments and learned so much about the courage of men and women who paid the ultimate price for freedom," another response read. "This program is beneficial for/to the campus community because it exposes the members within it to historical aspects of the country we live in and share."

     Wilkens Thelusma was is the former president of the Veteran Students' Association. After graduating in 2001, Wilkens remains active in the Office of Veteran Affairs.