![\"TownAlexandria\"](\"https:\/\/fbimcaaa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/TownAlexandria.jpg\")
<\/a>The group walks along an original cobblestone street, with buildings from the 1700s, in Old Town Alexandria.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nAfter leaving Old Town, the group spent the quietness of sunset at the Pentagon\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial.\u00a0 This was one of many times we recognized our group\u2019s good fortune to be led by Kathy Hotakainen and Joan Froehle! \u00a0Not only are they a delight, but having each worked for the FBI in D.C., they were firsthand founts of knowledge, experience and contacts as we traveled during the week. Unbeatable leadership!<\/p>\n Wednesday was our lucky day to visit the training facilities at Quantico! \u00a0Kurt Crawford, FBI Public Affairs\/Media Contact, was our energetic guide for the day. After viewing the library and seeing dorm areas, we were greeted by the Section Chief for the Instruction Section at the FBI Academy and then two supervisors from the New Agent And Analyst Training Unit (NAATU), and learned (from current instructors!) about the training for special agents and intelligence analysts (and that beginning in September they\u2019ll train together). \u00a0We lunched in the brand new cafeteria, then walked about to see equipment and facilities, including Hogan\u2019s Alley, the famed town of the most-robbed bank in America.\u00a0 We headed to the lab and heard presentations, then visited specific forensic areas, viewing artifacts from historic cases.<\/p>\n Wednesday evening was a group dinner and a beautiful nighttime walk by the White House and as many of the memorials as we could see. (One member\u2019s fitness device could hardly stop cheering for the new record in steps!) \u00a0The weather was blessedly comfortable during our week, this evening breezy and almost fall-like!<\/p>\n Visiting FBI Headquarters, just a short walk from our hotel, was on Thursday\u2019s agenda. \u00a0A highlight for our small group had to be the greeting and Q & A time with Director Comey!\u00a0 Just back from Europe the night before, he leaned back against the wall, expressed his joys and hopes in leading the FBI, and appeared to have all the time and interest in the world for us. \u00a0Main themes were \u201cWe\u2019re the best in the world and we\u2019re not good enough\u2014always working for improvement\u201d and the critical need for the various \u201c3-letter agencies\u201d to \u201cwork together seamlessly.\u201d \u00a0The director talked about the health of the public questioning government\/agencies and the current dilemma of data privacy via encryption vs. warranted law enforcement intelligence gathering. \u00a0He said he was meeting with the head of Apple in the next week to seek input and conversation toward possible solutions.<\/p>\n Some of us saw Director Comey picking up his lunch in the cafeteria. \u00a0After \u201cnever enough time\u201d in the FBI Education Center and viewing a firearms demonstration in a state-of-the-art theater area, we witnessed Director Comey welcoming a new group of employees just completing their Onboarding New Employees (ONE) program.\u00a0 Having the chance to listen to his eloquence once again was thrilling for us!<\/p>\n On Friday we had the chance to learn a bit more about the FBI\u2019s work in preventing terrorism.\u00a0 We were, of course, impressed by the dedication and expertise of all those we met on that hot topic as well.<\/p>\n As you would guess, the time flew by.\u00a0 We were all keenly aware of our good fortune at being allowed to take a closer peek at the crucial work of the FBI. \u00a0Visiting the \u201cmother ship\u201d reinforced the confidence, competence and compassion our Minneapolis Field Office shared in our Citizens Academy. \u00a0Our appreciation goes to Kathy and Joan, of course, and to the Alumni Association and to all those who had a part in making this trip happen.\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you!<\/p>\n Wow!\u00a0 If you have been on the trip in previous years, I imagine this summary will bring back your great memories.\u00a0 (An advantage since there\u2019s not much to show when one returns home from this predominately \u201cno cameras allowed\u201d trip!) If you\u2019ve not attended, I know that each member of our group would highly encourage … Continue reading Review of the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association 2015 Trip to Washington, D.C<\/span> <\/a>Members of the FBI Minneapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association explore the grave markers outside Christ Church, which dates from 1773, in Old Town Alexandria.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>The group sits in the pew in Christ Church where George Washington and his family sat for Sunday services.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>At the Pentagon 9\/11 Memorial at dusk, lights glow under the benches. Each bench honors an individual killed in the attack. They are arranged according to the victim\u2019s age and whether they were in the Pentagon or on the hijacked flight.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>The group is pictured in Hogan\u2019s Alley, a brick-and-mortar town at the FBI Academy used for training new FBI special agents. This is the most-robbed bank in the country.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"