EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE SERIES ANNUAL TRIP --
By: Bethany Gosewehr, Class of 2010-2011 (Marion County)

I had heard it said that the Lugar Series trip to Washington DC would be the highlight of my experience.  I didn’t want to believe it – we had so much to learn in the classes and from each other – but, I have to say, I learned more about public service and the fine ladies in the Series with me on this trip than I had ever imagined possible.  Not to in any way imply that the rest of the Series wasn’t mind-opening, but the camaraderie, fellowship and intimacy that occurred as a result of the trip cannot be matched.

Monday, May 9, 2011
We flew out of Indianapolis on May 9th full of excitement, and I have to admit (at least on my part), more than a little glee.  After a brief flight delay, we landed safely, checked into our hotel and headed out to the National Federation of Independent Business offices.

NFIB is a trade association representing the voice of small business at the state and national level (they are also my personal employer).  I had never been to our DC office (and had only spoken to many of our panelists over the phone) so I was particularly excited to go.  Our panelists were fantastic – five lovely ladies who are in top positions with NFIB – spoke to us about what they do and their backgrounds.  It was interesting to hear the different paths each woman took to end up where they are.

After NFIB, we had our welcome reception.  Various men and women, all with ties to Indiana, met with us and welcomed us to Washington.  It was truly a lovely event, and so nice to see so many familiar and friendly faces.  A contingent of the group (around 14 or so) finished the day with a lovely dinner and drinks at Sequoia Restaurant.
     
The ladies dining at Sequoia

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday found us heading out to the Pentagon for a tour and meeting with DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).  Our Pentagon tour guide (for my group, anyway) was a very nice young man all the way from South Bend, Indiana!  Although it was only his third day on the job, we learned so much and walked a total of 1.5 miles – some of us in heels!
     
Our very serious Pentagon tour guides (the cutie in his dress whites is from South Bend!)

At the conclusion of our official tour, we were taken to one of the DTRA conference rooms to meet with staff from this very important division of US Defense Department.  The department oversees the Nunn-Lugar program, and the conference room we were ushered into was high-level security, which means we had to leave all electronic devices outside of the room.

The most stirring moment of this tour, though, was seeing the September 11th Memorial at the Pentagon.  It has been designed with benches representing each person that died when the plane crashed into the Pentagon, all at the same angle the plane entered from.  It was beautifully done, and moving to see.
     
The 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon

We followed the Pentagon with a visit to the Embassy of Jordan to meet with Ambassador Alia Hatoug-Bouran.  She gave a wonderful presentation on Jordan, and I have to say that it was the first time I thought I really wanted to visit a country in the Middle East.  The Embassy was preparing for a visit from the king the following week, so they shared the preparations they were making with us.
     
The Embassy of Jordan*

Our official day concluded with a reception hosted by Senator Lugar’s chief of staff, Marty Morris, and his wife at the beautiful National Museum of Women in the Arts.  That night, two of my classmates and I braved the five-mile journey to walk through most of the memorials and monuments.  Our feet hurt by the end – but the sights were worth it!
          
Beverly Austin, Bethany Gosewehr and Nicole Kelsey at the Lincoln Memorial

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday was the National Excellence in Public Service Day.  The national group had a fantastic line-up of speakers, including (but not limited to): Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (MN), Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS), Congresswoman Judy Biggert (IL), Congressman Pet Sessions (TN, Chair of NRCC) and Speaker of the House John Boehner.
     
Speaker of the US House, John Boehner*
  
Andrea Brandes, Natalie Thomas, Mari Yamaguchi and JoAnn Stewart*
  
Danielle Coulter, Mari Yamaguchi, Angela Weber, Bethany Gosewehr and Beth Wrobel*

Thursday, May 12, 2011
Graduation day!  We started our morning with a tour of the Capitol.  The building is simply amazing with so much history.  We were able to sit in the US Senate Committee of Foreign Relations room to meet with the staff there.  Interestingly, they were ALSO in the midst of preparing for the King of Jordan’s visit the following week so we were able to see what they do to prepare as well.
           
Our own red, white and blue ladies: Victoria Temple, JoAnn Stewart and Sarah Aubrey.

We proceeded to the Sewell Belmont House for our graduation luncheon.  Senator Lugar met us there (he had just come from the Oval Office discussed the debt ceiling – how cool is our Senator?) to address us and present us with our awards.  Lunch was lovely – outdoors under a tent – and the Senator was very moving with his speech.  I’m sure I can speak for all of us when I say that we were honored to be associated with Senator Lugar.

Senator Lugar addresses the class.*

Before flying home, we were able to tour the Senator’s office and visit the Senate gift shop.  Several ladies brought home some lovely Senate souvenirs.

Alas, all good things must come to an end and we had to return to Indianapolis.  This is a trip that I will truly never forget, and the extraordinary women of this class are new friends for life.  I’m privileged and honored to have been selected for this program, and grateful that each one of these women has been brought into my life.
 
 The 2010-2011 Lugar Series Class