As I was walking, I saw this crystal clear lake, glistening from the bright sun. The lake was inhabited by white flawless birds. I saw tourist and locals sitting on the edge of the lake reading, mingling, and enjoying God’s creation like there was no care in the world. As I continued to walk I saw historical figures surrounding the lake that were imitating people that have made a contribution to our nation‘s history. I realized that I was walking up these stairs leading to the sky. As I was walking up the stairs, I was in awe about the architecture that was staring me right in the face. There is a high point that touches the clear blue skies. That point is attached to a historical landmark full of history that has made life-changing impacts in people’s lives. This recognizable historical building rests on top of a massive, distinguished hill as we all know as Capitol Hill, overlooking our nation’s capitol. This building is known as the U.S. Capitol Building. There were cherry blossom trees that were standing on the fresh cut grass, outlining the building, giving it a feminine touch with the color pink. Security guards scattered on the outside of the building in their perspective places, heavily guarding the building with high pride and a rifle. Women and men holding briefcases in fancy suits, were walking up the stairs, showing the security guards their entrance passes to enter through the doors to make a change for their country. Waiting in a long line in the hot sun just to pass through the security check to enter the building was pretty amazing to me. As I was entering through the doors, the same doors many men and women go through to change history forever, I saw this incredible dome over me. It is the heart of the United States Capitol, the Rotunda. Lying in the Rotunda are the congressional office buildings, and behind those doors were people who make decisions that they believe will help better America. As I was walking into another room, I saw statues of different people outlining the roundness of the room, who have made a sacrifice to change our history for the better. The feeling of me walking on the same floor where men and women of the Senate and House of Representatives walked overwhelmed me. I felt a strong sense of patriotism and pride for my country all of a sudden. It almost brought a tear to my eye just by being surrounded by architecture, historical statues, and seeing from the point-of-view of a Senate and House of Representative. It just made me want to sing our nation’s national anthem, Star Spangled Banner:
â–º QUARTER FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?…..
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