Nearly 50 teens, ages 13 to 15, were given an all-encompassing tour of the historic sites in and around the National Capital Region, some for the first time, including a visit to the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Fire Department Sept. 23.
At a distance they look like average teens, but they bear the scars, some worse than others, of tragic childhood accidents.
"The International Association of Firefighters in D.C. asked me to help staff this burn survivors' camp," said David Petruccelli, IAFF staff member. "We invite burn survivors from 50 camps around the U.S. and Canada to send their camper and counselor of the year for a one-of-a-kind experience here in the capital."
The visit marked the 11th year burn survivors and counselors have made the trip to see the nation's capital, all of which have featured the JBM-HH Fire Department's involvement.
And it is an experience: The weeklong trip includes a visit to the Naval Academy, a boat tour of the Annapolis harbor, a guided tour of the nation's capital, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, George Washington's Mount Vernon and a visit to the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall fire station, where they were greeted by the United States Old Guard Army Fife and Drum Corps.
"For a majority of these kids, this is their first trip to the nation's capital," said Petruccelli. "And for some, it is their first time on a plane."
The organization is important because it gives these kids an opportunity to meet other kids who have been through the same trauma, both emotional and physical, he said.
After opening remarks by JBH-HH Commander Col. Mike Henderson, The Old Guard's Fife and Drum Corps provided a special performance, followed by a meet-and-greet with the band.
"The IAFF values helping burn survivors feel comfortable in the public eye," said Petrucelli. "And to assist in gaining life skills, tactics and strategies for dealing with the public as they are out in their lives moving forward."
After the meet-and-greet, campers and IAFF staff circled up for a bonding exercise where the goal was to high-five as many people with shared common identifiers as possible.
"High-five if you are an athlete," said the game's announcer to the group behind the JBM-HH fire station.
Around 20 attendees ran into the circle, including camper Jade Harris, an enthusiastic teen from Maquoketa, Iowa. She was scarred in January 2001, at the age of 2 years old.
"High-five if you have a brother," said the announcer followed by another cluster of high-fiving campers and counselors.
"I have a brother," said camper Amy Jamie from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to her counselor Pam Pucci.
Noticeably, Amy sports a pair of sparkling, pink shoes. She is also in a wheel chair with scars that come from a house fire she was caught in at the age of 2.
Her shoes glimmer in the fading afternoon sunlight as Pucci assists her into the middle of the circle to high-five her fellow campers.
After the festivities, the JBM-HH Fire Department grilled burgers and hot dogs for the visitors, and the garage that normally holds JBM-HH fire engines filled up like any school cafeteria with lively teens and laughter.
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