Thinking About "The Service" at the School of Public Service

With Independence day approaching, this is a good week for the St. Albans School of Public Service to take a closer look at military service.  Yesterday, we started the day hearing from a speaker, Mr. John Campagna, who spoke about his long career in the U.S. Army Special Forces, and his current work with the Chenega Corporation, which provides support to the defense and intelligence communities.  Later in the day, the SPS students took on a military-themed case study modeled on the scenario -- a dilemma faced in Afghanistan by a team of Navy SEALS -- made famous by the book and move "Lone Survivor."  And to the end the day, SPS '14 visited Arlington National Cemetery and attended the U.S. Marine Corps Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial.  At Arlington National Cemetery, the group walked the grounds, visiting the Eternal Flame at President Kennedy's grave site, and witnessing the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  We then shuttled over to the Iwo Jima Memorial for the fabulous spectacle of the Sunset Parade:  a performance by the USMC Drum & Bugle Corps, the Commandant's Own, and a dazzling precision routine by the famed U.S. Marine Silent Drill Platoon.

Above: Speaker Mr. John Campagna

Above: Seth, Humphrey, Ben, and Alex on the ground of Arlington National Cemetery

Above: the Sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Above: the start of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Above: Watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony (from lef: Oliver, Max, Aniya, Elexis)

Above: the Commandant's Own performs

Above: the Marines enter the Parade Ground

Above: the Silent Drill Platoon in Action!  

Below: Visiting with some of the Marines after the Sunset Parade