I received an opportunity to go to the White House during the week of July fourth. Over three days, I attended a Medal of Honor ceremony, the 4th of July celebration, and took an official White House tour.
It all began on Wednesday, July 3rd. I went to the front gate and was escorted to the East Room. There I stood and watched President Biden as he awarded the Medal of Honor to two Civil War soldiers. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award given to servicemen. President Biden gave a speech and then presented the medals to the two men’s descendants. It was awarded posthumously, after death since they had died a long time ago. They received it for stealing a confederate train during the war which disrupted their supply lines. It was a short ceremony and President Biden did not take any questions from the press before he left the room. It was a wonderful way to start the Independence Day festivities by giving military awards.
The next day was the 4th of July celebration on the South Lawn. The event started late because of thunderstorms. We waited in the Press Room, which is really a building, for the rain to stop. I was able to meet members of the press from around the world and even interview a few of them. The press building is where the White House broadcasts its briefings. The TV and Radio correspondents work there and also have tents set up outside on the front lawn. The building has a kitchen, bathrooms, and small office spaces. When the rain ended, we were invited to the opening remarks from President Biden. You walk down through a tunnel to get to the backyard where the BBQ and stage was set up for the party. The president welcomed the military families and their friends to the event and even shook a few hands. After dinner, President Biden and Vice President Harris got on the stage and spoke about the importance of July 4th. There was a DJ, concert and fireworks which they watched from the White House balcony. We also received treats, like ice cream, which had a White House logo on it. I loved that everything had it on it! It was so exciting to be at the nation’s capital celebrating the Fourth of July!
On my last day, I went on the official White House tour in the East Wing. I was surprised by the multiple security areas and that once inside, you walked around on your own. There are paintings throughout of presidents, their families, and pets on the walls. There was even a picture of President Coolidge’s wife who had a pet raccoon named Rebecca! The rooms are all distinct colors, like the blue room and the green room. They contain old furnishings, but you can only go in a couple of them. I did go into the East Room, which was now empty, where I had been on Wednesday for the Medal of Honor. A portrait of the first U.S. president Goerge Washington hangs there. My mom actually worked in that room over twenty years ago during the Clinton administration.
My trip to the White House was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget!