"The trip of a lifetime"  By Emma Sanders 

There's a saying that perfectly describes my feelings about the 2024 Washington Youth Tour: "it is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times." 

Throughout my lifetime I have read books, heard lectures, watched movies and videos, and been educated about out nation's history and our capital. While everything I've learned throughout school has been foundational in my comprehension and upbringing, it seemed to just fade into the realm of background knowledge we all have about our country. 

I feel that you don't truly understand and appreciate the depths, hardships, successes and advancements of this beautiful nation until you see it with your own eyes. Hearing about Arlington Cemetery and actually gazing over it myself were two completely different feelings. 

The Washington Youth Tour, sponsored by electric co-ops across the nation, is such a wonderful, inspiring, and life-changing opportunity for teens. This year, I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in the tour. Farmers RECC sponsored me, along with Emma Warren, Alyssa Williams, and Cainin Woodard, to spend a week discovering and exploring historical sites, museums, monuments, memorials and the beautiful city of Washington, D.C., alongside other fellow Kentuckians. We got to experience America's history firsthand, taking in the past and present and imagining the future. 

From watching our Marines perform their sunset parade at the Marine Corps War Memorial to standing on top of Capital Hill to gazing across Washington, D.C. from the Jefferson Memorial to the chilling and eye-opening experience of the Holocaust Museum, these experiences have truly changed my perspectives. I have learned and understood more about my own country in this past week than I have over the course of many years. 

Seeing the exact spot where the plane nose-dived into the Pentagon, talking to a survivor and paying respects to a three-year-old victim's bench was a privilege and honor that truly cannot by described in words. My favorite part of this trip was receiving the honor of laying the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Seeing people from all over the world come together in a respectful, polite, and honorable manner while the ceremony was conducted gave my heart hope for the future of our nation. As we marched down the steps to lay the wreath, the connection, respect and gratitude I felt is something I will hold onto forever. 

I couldn't have imagined a better trip. the friendships, memories, laughs and experiences will forever remain close to my heart. My peers from across the state came together as a group, showcased pride in our Kentucky roots, and grew together as individuals. I foresee many bright leaders in our future. No matter what country we are from, we all came together with the same love and respect for this free nation. I'm forever thankful for this wonderful opportunity, and I appreciate all the hard work, dedication and planning that went into youth tour. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime!