Team Dover youths visit White House

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  After a three year wait, the Dover Air Force Base Youth Center was able to visit the White House Sept. 18, with the assistance of the office of the Honorable Mike Castle, United States representative. The self-guided tour of about 17 individuals was able to experience a unique aspect of United States history.

"With all the rich history we have to offer here at Dover, it was too good to pass up," said Kristy Grove, 436th Force Support Squadron teen coordinator. "I was telling the kids, when they are older they will remember this moment. I was elated to have the opportunity to bring them to the White House, it's what I'm here for, to help educate and help them grow as individuals."

There were several activities that the visitors were able to partake of before going on their self guided tour of the White House. There was a Portrait Opportunity, an audience with "George Washington", a round-robin tournament of 18th century games, a test of writing skills with a quill pen and an opportunity to take part in a reenactment of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

"It was really informative," said Lance Edwards, 17, son of Master Sgt. (ret.) Roxann Edwards. "You always read how one event happened in this room, another in this room, the President met this ambassador in this room, but you never get to witness it. To walk through those rooms that I had heard about, to think of the history that was made there, it was really moving. If I get the chance, I will definitely go back, if only to see if I can meet the President."

Of course Mr. Edwards was not the only member of the tour that would like to go back and see the sights of the White House once more.

"You just never know who you might see, or what you might have missed the first time," said Lenore Brock, 436th Contracting Squadron government purchase card program manager and one of the adult chaperones on the tour. "It wasn't my first trip to the White House, but I found it interesting, going back reading about the pictures that had been taken since my last visit. This is where a lot of history happened, foreign dignitaries and bill signings. It's awe inspiring to think that these aren't just rooms roped off for people to walk through, but actual rooms being used every day to make history."

This is not the first government inspired tour the Youth Center has had. The Youth Center has toured the Capital building, and Mrs. Grove hopes to one day tour the Pentagon with her students.

"I love doing all the fun stuff with them," said Mrs. Grove. "We have a lot of history in this area, and my goal in all of this is to plant a seed in these young people's lives that will one day blossom when they need it."