Inspiring Aviation

I grew up next to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, when my sister and I were little Dad would point out the bombers, cargo planes, and fighter jets. He still does this but now I can see the differences myself. The runway lies next to a regularly used state route and if you look up when a jet is overhead it feels like you can see the tire groves in the landing gear. Ohio is the first in aviation so maybe seeing all these planes inspired me to keep looking, up past the atmosphere into the space beyond.

When we visited Lockheed Martin in Crystal City I grinned to see F-16s pictured on the walls. But when we went into the room for space exploration and satellite technology I could couldn't contain my excitement. There was just so much to see. Two brothers with a bicycle shop from my home town had started us on a journey that could end with humans living on different worlds. Here, looking at the model of Orion, I could see this happening. As is the case whenever I imagine the future of space exploration I wanted to participate. David pointed out the controversial areas of geospatial technology, discussed funding approaches, brought up increasing gender equality among astronauts and inspired the other students. I was already sold. If we know there is water on Europa and there are geysers on Io what can we do to find out more?

 I entered college thinking I would study astronomy. I could help the planet reach forward, we could do more things, go more places. I changed my major to Public Affairs to be able better accomplish that same goa. Instead of looking outward to space I would look inward and study our government. Visiting Lockheed Martin mixed my two passions. They do more than just build the planes for the air force, and design space equipment for NASA they build runways for dreams. 

Isabelle ChaseWehner

The City of Brotherly Love

Chad Ellwood

The City of Brotherly Love

Just a few weeks back, we had the opportunity to take a day trip to Philadelphia to see one of America's most historic cities and where the great country we call home was founded. The greatest minds in American history met in Independence Hall and signed the Constitution. We were lucky enough to see this on our trip and it was certainly my favorite part. I had goosebumps nearly the entire time thinking of the people who had occupied the same rooms 250 years earlier. Though I knew the history of the Constitutional Convention, hearing it masterfully recited by the National Park Ranger was moving. The artwork was really great and the architecture was unbelievable as well. The books on the desks were originals, and the hall was well maintained. It was an awesome opportunity and I'm so glad we had the chance to go inside. 

Another great part of the day was seeing the Liberty Bell. I had read about the bell all of my life but seeing the thing up close was really cool. The Bell is one of the most important and famous symbols of independence in America. It makes you think of how we are so lucky to live in a country that so many fought so hard to protect. The Revolution was still living in Philadelphia and my patriotism was at an all time high seeing the sights of Philly. 

We also were given the opportunity to seek out and try an authentic Philly cheesesteak. I have had cheesesteaks before and never understood how they could be different or get better. I was quite wrong. I went to Carmen's Cheesesteaks in the Reading Market and had a religious experience with my cheesesteak. Obama had eaten there so I felt pretty comfortable going in. It left me with one question, though? If cheesesteaks can be made that good in Philly, why not in Columbus? It was then the next great Columbus food truck idea was born (not really). 

The day was long (bus departing at 6:30am and getting back at 11pm), but the Philly trip was well worth it. I'm so glad we got to go to a city I had never been to, and one that packed so much history into its boundaries. 

Anacostia River Festival

On April 12^th, a few WAIP fellows and I went to the Anacostia neighborhood for its First Annual Anacostia River Festival at the 11^th Street Bridge Park.  The festival was hosted on behalf of the Cherry Blossom Festival and the National Park Service.  It focused on sustainability, water conservation, and the future of the 11^th Street Park.

After taking the shuttle from the metro stop to the park we found ourselves in a small sea of white tents on the east side of the river.  After realizing that many of the river activities were full for the day, we decided to check out the organizations and institutions that were at the event.   We stopped at a table where there was a large portrait of the river with a question written above asking, “How do you picture your river?”  This booth brought to light an underlying theme at the festival: responsibility for the environment and your neighborhood.  Although the Park Service may perform the traditional upkeep for the park, the booths at the festival emphasized the responsibilities that individuals have to protect their local environment.

After receiving free water bottles, exploring the booths, and planting a bell pepper, we were able to watch performances on the main stage.  The first two performances included a talented violinist and a young man playing the role of Fredrick Douglas.  After settling down with our funnel cakes, we were able to see the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir.  It wasn’t an ordinary choir; they had performed at President Obama’s second inauguration and Nelson Mandela’s Funeral. They sang beautifully with passion, enthusiasm, and purpose.  They spread the messages of America the Beautiful and It Gets Better.

The First Annual Anacostia River festival gave a sense of ownerships of the park to the residents of Anacostia.  Although Anacostia is not known for being a beautiful area, the festival was a reminder that they have the ability to restore a beautiful biking, fishing, and canoeing area.  The festival provided a great opportunity to learn more about Anacostia and the efforts to restore a sustainable, beautiful riverside park.

-Taylor Slivka

Big Weekend in the Big Apple

Weekend trip to NYC | Matt Shomo

     Moving to Washington DC a few months ago, I was intimidated by the size of the city. It makes sense; my hometown has barely over 17,000 people and until January, I thought Columbus, Ohio was a really big metropolitan center. However, my views on the relative size of cities changed two weeks ago when six of the WAIP students took to NYC for a weekend getaway. 

     I had never been to the "big city" and was instantly blown away by the immense size of absolutely everything. The famous Manhattan skyline came into view miles outside the city and the anticipation continued to build until we unloaded from the bus and exited Penn Station onto 42nd Street. Everything I had heard about the NYC atmosphere was true -- my first interaction with a local even involved being scolded for walking across the crosswalk. Our group mission was simple: accomplish as many "typical" New York activities as possible in 36 hours. 

     We began our journey at Times Square, walked around upper Manhattan for a couple of hours, and eventually made our way to the New York City Public Library. After a quick guided tour, we kept the feet moving up to Central Park and thanks to a very helpful fellow tourist, took some pretty great WAIP family pics (see below). One of the highlights of the trip for me was singing along with a solo guitarist to Beatles songs in "Strawberry Fields" the area of Central Park where the John Lennon IMAGINE mosaic is located. 

     Thanks to some great planning by WAIPer Taylor, we scored some tickets to an off-Broadway show produced and directed by Andy Sandberg -- not to be confused with Andy Sanberg. Mr. Sandberg proved to be no slouch and a great time was had by all. The show was followed by some more exploring on foot; a common theme for our brief weekend in the city. Being a Manhattan rookie, I was blown away by the liveliness of the city at night and felt like I had been missing out all these years. The New York night life lived up to the expectations, and so did every other aspect of the city. 

     After staying the night in a rented out studio apartment near the Empire State Building (a much better experience than the title would lead you to believe) the adventurous Buckeyes got an early start on Sunday morning and made our way down to the financial district. First on the list was a ferry trip to Liberty Island to see Lady Liberty herself. While the statue is impressive, the view from the island was perhaps even more incredible. The mental image of the beautiful skyline on a sunny day is one that will stick with me for quite some time. Our day continued with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center. The memorial was a powerful and unique experience due to the constant activity that surrounds the area. Typically memorials of that magnitude are very quiet and isolated but those words don't describe a single block of Manhattan. With the new One World Trade Center looming large across the street and busy tourists all around, the memorial served as a powerful reminder that even after our most tragic moments, this nation prevails and continues to inspire. A little perspective goes a long way. 

     Before I could blink, we were back on the Greyhound back to DC and the whirlwind 36 hours had come to an end. The weekend went more smoothly than anybody could have anticipated and it served as a late-semester bonding experience for the WAIP family. Without a doubt, NYC lived up to my highest expectations and I am already planning a return trip. After the 4 hour trip back to Union Station, I found myself thinking "where did all the buidlings go?" -- a phrase I never thought I could apply to our Nation's Capital. 

     

Muslim Friday Prayers at the Capitol

With all the commotion these days about Muslims and the widespread Islamophobia in American politics, you wouldn't really expect many Muslims at the US Capitol (besides the two Muslim Congressmen Keith Ellison & Andre Carson). So it may come as a shock that Muslims not only visit and work at the Capitol, but also have weekly prayers in the Capitol.

Muslims are required to attend congressional prayers every Friday afternoon (Jummah). Prayers are typically held at the Mosque, but with the local Mosque being several miles away and with the unpredictable traffic and Metro, visitors and staff have a makeshift prayer area in the basement of the Capitol. The tradition began in the mid 90s when a young staffer from California came to DC and had a hard time attending Friday prayers in the DC area. He worked with then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich to set up a system for the Friday prayers, and every Friday since then, a room in the basement of the Capitol has been reserved for Friday prayers.

The prayers are open to the public, and anyone can join. The past week, I had the privilege of attending prayers at the Capitol. At 12:30, I joined about 50 to 70 other men and women make their way to the basement to listen to the sermon and pray together. The service lasted for about half an hour, and everyone dispersed back towards work or sightseeing.

I'm sure we are all aware of our freedom to practice (or not to practice) any religion in America, but we don't really know how blessed we are to have this ability. The Friday prayers showed me how far our country goes to accommodate people of different religions.  It's honestly impossible to put into words how amazing it feels to be able to worship at the center of government in our country.

-Wali