Whew! Is about all you can say about a day like today, in which the St. Albans School of Public Service was on the go from morning to night. The day began with a visit to St. Albans from the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States, the Hon. Wegger Christian Strommen. Ambassador Strommen spoke both about what it means to have a career in the foreign service generally, and about his work on behalf of Norway as a career foreign service officer and diplomat (including as Norway's Ambassador to the United Nations). Ambassador Strommen spoke extensively about the relationship between Norway and the United States, including the many expatriate Norwegians who came to the United States in the nineteenth and twentieth century, and Norway's current status as a major investor in the American economy. Demonstrating that a good ambassador represents his country's interests at all time, Ambassador Strommen also urged SPS 2013 to eat fish, and lots of it (good for the students and good for the Norwegian maritime industry).After a quick lunch at St. Albans, it was off to the Pentagon for a tour and Q&A session with Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Anthony Stamilio, who spoke both of his own path to public service and his responsibilities at the Pentagon, which include overseeing program to help soldiers transition to civilian life. Our SPS students enjoyed both the tour and the Q & A session, and judging from the photos below, a few may go on to successful careers at the Pentagon!
Finally, in keeping with the martial theme of the day, SPS 2013 spent the evening at Arlington National Cemetery, witnessing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and at the U.S. Marine Corps Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial. After a long day, the evening ended with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Sarah K. aboard the bus on the way back to St. Albans.
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| On the way back to St. Albans, we serenaded Sarah K. (pictured holding a b-day cupcake) for her birthday |
