Every American, at least once in his or her lifetime, should take a trip to the nation&8217;s capital.

Washington, D.C., will make you proud to be an American. History comes to life, and the museums will give you insight into how decisions were made.

We were heartened to see that 43 students from the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva School District visited Washington earlier this month.

They went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Pentagon, the U.S. Holocaust Museum and, even though it wasn&8217;t officially open yet, the Newseum.

Some people question the need for a museum dedicated to the news. One thing is sure in a democratic nation: There will be news agencies to deliver the news to the people. The platforms might change &8212; newspapers, radio, television, Internet &8212; but people&8217;s desire to be informed never ends. The profession of journalism is called the Fourth Estate because it serves as another check and balance to the ones formed by the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Much of the Newseum is interactive and modern, making it more fun to kids than a stuffy old-fashioned museum. The Newseum gives people insight into how all kinds of news is produced and allows them to see such fascinating displays as a room full of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs. Anyone coming out of the Newseum comes out with the same American pride they have at other museum.

Take your children to Washington. Take them to the Newseum. Moreover, take them to the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial. Take them to the Smithsonian and to the war memorials. Take them all over.

The lessons they learn &8212; and you learn &8212; will last a lifetime.