Wasn't it fun to finally pack your bags and go on a school trip. We would strive all year not to get demerits so we would be allowed that prize in the spring. One funny story is that the very first time we stopped on the road, I went in to the gas station and bought China Blue eye shadow. Most of us had not worn make-up yet. But every picture I have on that trip, most all of the girls have China blue eye shadow on. Add to that the fact that every pic on the way home, we all have on those red/white/blue floppy hats.
The kids from Crabbe practiced since 5th grade on a dance called the Salty Dog Rag. At Washington, all schools went to the parking lot and we performed it for all of you. Anyone remember that?? Also- we all ended up in the parking lot again in the middle of the night because of fire alarms.
One other memory I have of that trip is at the tomb of the unkown soldier, 2 students were chosen to place the wreath during the ceremony. It was Suzanna Wheeler and Brent Fugeman. I didn't realize until I went back to Arlington when my son was smaller, what an honor that was.

Luanne, I just found pictures the other day of the patrol trip. I went with the Charles Russell crew. the pictures are great!!....and yes, i have on a red/white and blue floppy hat!!!!

I went to Hager, and we won the award for best safety patrol that year (thanks Ronnie, you were a great captain – imagine Grand Funk Railroad’s “I’m you Captain” playing in the background) so we got to ride on bus 1 with Captain Borders as or Bus Officer.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, and the Statue of Iwo Jima both impacted me in a way I never forgot. Our pastor’s son had just been killed in Vietnam, and I learned to appreciate the service and sacrifice our armed forces make for us at a young age.

We were all about 12 years old and the year was 1973 and the country was still in turmoil over civil rights and the Vietnam War. How many of you remember that there were protest marches occurring while we were there, and it occasionally broke out into riots and violence. There were two incidents I remember in particular. The first occurred the first night we were there and we went to eat at the cafeteria where we ate most nights. A mob was headed down the street, and they got every one of us kids inside and locked the doors. A Bus officers stood at each door to make sure no one else came in while we were there. The second was on the last day. There was a big protest march that got out of control. They collected all the students from the Smithsonian and put is in a corner between stairs and the building. The chaperones made a wall around us, and the buss officers made a line if front of then until they could get the buses there and load us up. They made sure we were safe, so much so that many of us were oblivious to the risk around us at the time.

I’m still amazed that they could put a trip with 8 buses full of 12 year olds together and make it run that smoothly.

I got to go with Poage, even though I wasn't on safety patrol but Leighann Wheeler and I got invited to go. I believe I roomed with Leighann, Carla Moore and Beth Osborne. I had my birthday on the trip and got very sick one day. They wouldn't let me off the bus to see the Jefferson Memorial because I was so sick.
Today when we go to visit DC I think of the one picture of us sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, my favorite.

This is so funny since I was just talking to Susan Ramey about this last night...I went with the Hatcher crew and, if memory serves me correct, I roomed with Laura Barker, Angela Farrow and Kim Daniels..I remember the fire alarm in the middle of the night but I thought one of the buildings had caught fire. I also remember us girls trying to get the phone # to the White House. We thought we would talk to the President and let him know we were in town.

Hello Brian!
You will be pleased to know that Capt. Earl Borders is still living here in Ashland and at one time had published a "how to" book on the Patrol trip. I see him often at various locations in town with his wife and family. He deserves so much credit for the skill with which he handled the trips as well as his many sacrifices as a local police officer.
M. Haney

I went with Crabbe and on the way back from Washington we played spin the bottle and Eleanor's bottle pointed to Nathan, one of my best friends. We were all silent as this meant an interracial kiss (in 1973!). Eleanor never hesitated and leaned in and kissed him on the forehead and the game went on.

The last time I talked to the "Captain" he was busy riding horses, with my dad and I. I think he had a riding accident that has limited his riding. He still looks the same.

I was on the Wylie bus. My Mom was on our bus (Betty Leake) and my Dad was on bus #2 (Dick Leake). that was a fun time. I meant a lot to me, something that has stuck with me. I also got to go on the trip in the 5th. grade. My Dad was on that trip and they had a last min. open and he took me. Both years was great and fun.
the name of the cafeteria that we where at was 7 corners.
My girls with their high school choir went to Washington D.C. and it was some mush fun and as we saw some of the same things. I went back in time. Our tour guide was just sitting there not saying anything, so I stood up and started telling what this or that was as we drive past. ( If I didn't know what it was, I would just read it on the building.) My girls would love to go back.
hat off to Capitan Boarders for there is a lot of planning in a trip like that. For we saw more with the safety patrol then we did back in 06.

I was with the Charles Russell crew! I remember so many of the sites from that trip. We had a great chaparone that pointed out the Watergate building, but that was about a year before it became so famous.
I found my film when I was in High school and developed it and all the pictures had a pink haze on them.
My favorite bus memory was Chuck Webb telling us his stories of Slow Poke Sam and others to help pass the time. His facial gestures were the best.
That was probably the most memorial trip I have ever taken.

I went 6th Grade with the Charles Russell Indian group.
I remember Mr. Leake "yodeling" per our constant requests. He had an awesome voice. I also remember a vagabond with cruthches sitting in the street begging money. We all gave him a bunch of change & as the buses pulled out, I looked back and saw him get up & just walk off. Life lesson #1. Great trip. Seemed like we were thousands of miles from home.

Brian Davis wrote: