It was a direct flight from Indianapolis International Airport to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 27, 2009.

It turned out to be a connection to more than just our nation’s capital.

For the DC attendees from the Lugar Series Class of 2009, this remarkable trip provided us with a shared experience that strengthened our philosophical perspectives, our academic viewpoints and our bonds of friendship.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Sandi Huddleston, the executive director of the Lugar Series for Excellence in Public Service, and program co-founder and visionary, Judy Singleton, our group had four days to meet, greet, listen, question, marvel, absorb and journey through a series of gatherings with honest and insightful individuals and in locations that would leave lasting impressions.

Our first few hours in sunny DC involved grabbing lunch and sightseeing before returning to the Renaissance Hotel and preparing for an evening of congressional conversations at the Capitol Hill Club.

Taxi rides delivered our group to this august location. Speaking to us this evening were Rep. Mike Pence, Rep. Steve Buyer, Rep. Dan Burton and Rep. Mark Souder – all of whom fervently spoke about policy concerns and issues affecting their constituencies.

Our Tuesday was off to a grand start with our first meeting at the Columbian Embassy Residence of Her Excellency Carolina Barco, Columbian Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Barco was gracious and open, speaking to us about her extensive political background, her determination to provide her citizens with economic opportunities, her resolve to balance motherhood with public service and her respect for the United States. As we left, her staff was kind enough to offer each of us small packets of pure Columbian coffee.

One brief bus ride later and we were sliding into the visitors’ gallery in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee room. Here, we witnessed Senator Lugar and his committee hear testimony from former secretaries of state Jim Baker and Warren Christopher, and former Representative Lee Hamilton, all of whom were discussing how America goes to war.

Afterward, our group enjoyed an outstanding lunch and was honored to have Air Force Senate Liaison Colonel Dawn Dunlop - the first female pilot of an F/A-22 Raptor - join us for remarks about her exemplary and groundbreaking career in the skies and in service to our country.

Next up was a trip to the Pentagon with tour insights offered by backward-walking military personnel through a portion of the 17.5 miles of corridors. We stopped for a few moments at the small indoor memorial and chapel. It is located precisely where terrorist-commandeered American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

From this tour, we traveled to the Women in Military Service Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, where General (ret.) Wilma Vaught honored us with a presentation, and Lt. Col. Marilla Cushman guided us on a tour of this significant and historic facility.

That evening, we enjoyed a welcome reception and dinner with those states that, too, are fortunate enough to offer Excellence in Public Service Series. Our series co-founder and event emcee, Judy Singleton, offered remarks while Republican women from around the country bonded over politics and a passion to serve, and listened with rapt attention to the keynote address given by Tennessee Congresswomen and Deputy Whip Marsha Blackburn.

Briefings the next morning brought a spectacular slate of scholars, visionaries and business and political leaders to discuss with us what happened during the general election. In addition, they provided empirical data from which to progress and provoked discussions on the need for amplified female leadership.

Discussions on digital, Facebook and Twitter technology and a congressional update from Kansas Congresswomen Lynn Jenkins occurred during our luncheon, and then it was on to the Department of State.

At the State Department and then the Brookings Institution, our group spoke with those persons who specialize in international development and energy policies.

This evening, during a reception hosted by Pam and Marty Morris at the Sulgrave Club, we enjoyed conversations with the female staff members of Senator Lugar’s office and from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

On our last day, we spent the morning on Capitol Hill, touring the new Capitol Visitor Center and meeting with the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the actual committee room.

We wrapped up our extraordinary trip with a luncheon hosted by U. S. Senator Richard Lugar at the venerable Sewell-Belmont House, a stone’s throw from the Hart Senate Officer Building. Senator Lugar presented to each attendee a handsome award that recognizes the fulfillment of our class training.

This cursory observation of some of the highlights of our trip does not properly take into account the long discussions, thoughtful strolls, Starbucks and carbonated beverage breaks and fermented grape debates we all thoroughly enjoyed with each other throughout the course of this trip.

We know that trips like these do not plan themselves. To that end, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt thank you’s to Senator Richard Lugar for being an extraordinary leader, statesman and inspiration; Executive Director Sandi Huddleston for her guidance and compassion; Judy Singleton for her vision and drive; Senator Lugar’s State Director Lesley Reser for opening countless doors for us; and to all Lugar Series alumnae who joined us for the best field trip ever!