2011 LEC CAPITAL REGION SEASON COMES TO AN END

On August 24, eleven French students and their chaperon left central Pennsylvania for the two-hour trip to Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Virginia, with pick-ups in Linglestown, Camp Hill, and Dillsburg.

At Camp Hill, we gathered the students and host families present for a photo and presentation of souvenir American flags. Due to time constraints, we were unable to video the traditional "Waving of the Flags."   :-)

The kids were airborne a bit later than 4:30 p.m. and arrived in Paris a little early around 6:00 a.m. Paris time the next morning. A long trip, and no doubt bittersweet.

Those of us left behind felt a sadness, too (I even saw some tears!), and began to miss the students who had been a part of our lives for the previous three weeks.

We thank all of the families who hosted this year, in July or August, for the wonderful experience you gave to the kids. Your generosity and kindness are always amazing to watch.

Paul Seymour

Thanks, also, to my sister Rachel Bair of Enola, who drove the luggage van to the airport and back (no doubt with a stop at the Gettysburg Outlets), and a very special thanks to Paul Seymour of Grantville, who, with his wife Ellen, hosted the chaperon this year.

When I had to have eye surgery on the morning of the return to the airport, Paul stepped up and drove the van in my place. Thank you, Paul -- you saved the day!