It’s been an exciting couple of days here at the Academy. In the past two days, we’ve had seven fabulous Congresspeople sign on as co-sponsors, signaling that they understand how important a Public Service Academy is. They are, in no particular order: Maxine Waters, Steve Israel, Maurice Hinchey, Raul Grijalva, Bobby Scott, Donald Payne and Henry Cuellar (okay, so there was an order: how quickly I remembered them). I’m majoring in history and communications, and even I understand how good this math is. 

This brings us to 49 sponsors overall. Sounds like a lot, but remember, there are 435 members of the House–and let’s not even get started on the Senate. We’ve still got a climb ahead. Please remember to get in contact with your representative or senator to let her or him know that you support the Academy! 

Last week, Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” broadcast his show from Baghdad, Iraq in conjunction with the USO.  I am a faithful viewer of “The Daily Show” and love Mr. Colbert, but I have to admit, his show is not in my DVR queue.  I sneak a segment online here and there.  However, upon hearing about his head being shaved on stage by General Odierno and knowing all about his consistent support of the troops, I set the record button for all four shows.  He was hysterical, the troops impressive, and through his goofy exploits, was brilliant at informing all of us back home that there is still a war going on where over 130,000 Americans are representing and protecting us.

I started to think about military service and how the word sacrifice cannot even begin to capture the depth of commitment enlisted men and women and officers make for people they don’t even know.  I’d venture to guess that many of them don’t even grasp the weight of their decision when they enlist, or join the Reserve or pursue the goal of getting into one of the military academies.  And yet, there they find themselves, thousands of miles away in harm’s way, and with a country at home that largely doesn’t know or understand what is going on for them.

In one of the coolest moments of the Colbert Report’s shows, Colbert was joined on stage by Command Sargent Major Frank Grippe, the highest enlisted man in the Army and an imposing one at that!  Colbert asked him to command the troops to “put their right hand in” and of course Grippe was on to Colbert and his hokey-pokey shenanigans in about two seconds.  Instead, he lead them in the Army fight song, which they all sang loud and proud and yes, I totally teared up.

It was at this moment that I realized what some people may not be getting about the importance of our desire to create a US Public Service Academy and it is the culture of service that can only be fostered in a campus atmosphere.  Seeing the troops all together, knowing they had all endured the same kind of basic training, the same types of discipline that fosters respect for themselves and the mission, seeing their focus on Cmd Sgt Major Grippe, I knew in that moment how critical it is to have a campus dedicated to the training of civil service leaders.  No amount of scattered scholarship programs across random public policy schools can replace the culture and commitment that an Academy will foster and we only need look at our Armed Forces to see the success we have created there.  So put your right hand in, and give thumbs up to the USPSA!

It is time to offer this opportunity to our young leaders, and to do it from the top down.  Please email your Representative and Senators NOW and tell them to support and pass the US Public Service Academy Act THIS YEAR.  Links are on our home page!

This Sunday, we held our Sitar Yoga event, and it was such a success! The soft words of yoga instructor Kat Archana encouraged us to stretch and relax our bodies and minds as Thievery Corporation’s Rob Myers (bit of trivia: he and Chris are brothers!) provided a peaceful, open atmosphere with his calming sitar chords.  The beautiful room in Josephine Butler Parks Center, an old mansion overlooking Meridian Hill Park, was filled with participants from all over the DC area.  We gathered to spread awareness and raise funds for the Academy.

Chris opened the event with an introduction explaining the Academy’s goals, and then Kat began the yoga session with chants, stretches and breathing exercises.  As the time passed, a deep calm fell over the room and participants were actively engaged in pushing their bodies and shaking off stress.  After the session, we requested donations and reiterated the mission of the Academy.  Lauren Schreiber played acoustic guitar as several participants stayed afterward to chat and to network, and some spoke with Chris and I to learn more about the Academy.  While we didn’t raise as much money as we had hoped, participants enjoyed themselves and learned a bit about the Academy.  We will follow up with the participants this week, and we hope that they will spread the word and volunteer for us in the future!