At the IAFF Young Burn Survivor Summit, MCBC camp advocate Hannah Banana and Stallion camper Po had the opportunity to meet campers and counselors from Burn Camps all over the United States and Canada.

From the start, Po showed wonderful leadership and a servant’s heart. He stood in the drizzle and held the door open for everyone so they could move their luggage onto the bus that would take everyone to camp. Throughout the week he was a wonderful representative of MCBC. He looked out for others and was kind and friendly to all.

His responsibility and respect led to him being one of the four campers to lay a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington during a changing of the guards ceremony.

“Laying the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier was really intense, suspenseful and nerve-wrecking,” said Po. “I’m absolutely glad I did it because my dad is my hero and the sentinels that guard the tomb are my dad’s heroes.”

Throughout the week, Po and Hannah Banana got to explore our nation’s capital with their new burn camp family. In the evening, they did a walking tour of the monuments and saw them lit up at night, under a full moon.

“When we visited the Vietnam Memorial, I looked our last name up in the book and learned I had family that served in Vietnam,” said Po.

Po took a rubbing of the two names of family members he found on the wall. He was able to take them home to show his grandpa so he could learn more about his family and their history of service to our country.

Throughout the trip, Po and Hannah Banana went on many adventures. They got to tour the Naval Academy of Annapolis and took a boat ride on the beautiful and scenic Severn river. They visited many firehouses in the D.C. area where they were always greeted with a warm welcome- and delicious food too!

“Fort Myer was my favorite part of the trip because after the silent drill team Marines performed, I got to talk to them and they were really nice,” said Po.

They also got the chance to spend the afternoon at the Smithsonian museums and they spent the afternoon impressed in the Natural History Museum, taking in meteorites, gems, sea life and fossils.

“This amazing group of teens and their chaperones spent the week not just exploring D.C., but taking care of each other, looking for ways to include others and show kindness,” said Hannah Banana. “It was inspiring to be around a community that takes care of one another and looks for ways to improve the world around them.