You can really enjoy it if you will. You will probably be on a preplanned tour if it is anything like the trips my kids former school went on every year. Bussing 5th graders from Louisiana and seeing Washington and New York in a week. The two teachers that planned that every year got real good at it but everyone was totally worn out by the time they got back.
Like Gritsar said, the Vietnam Memorial is special to some of us, but you will find your own favorites. You are not as old as we are so the Vietnam Memorial will probably not mean as much to you. I graduated from high school with two of those names and personally knew two others. If you can find out what is on the itenerary, you might want to read up on them ahead of time so you will understand what you are seeing better.
A lot of those buildings look like temples because they were designed and build to look permanent. It is a psychological diplomatic thing. Those buildings are supposed to show that we are strong, powerful, and plan on being around for a while.
And a pet peeve of mine. I got really irritated with my kids when we were driving through Monument Valley, driving across Rocky Mountain National Park, taking a tour bus in Washington DC, and all they wanted to do was play those hand held electronic games. I don't know if this describes you at all, but you really can tweet, text, rescue the princess, or defeat whatever monster you like to defeat some other time. I'd suggest getting a window seat and watching where you are going. You might see something that you have seen in a movie or on TV or read about. Most of us don't get these opportunities very often.
I know I am an old grouchy fuddy duddy, but we old people have opinions too.
Enjoy your trip. You earned it and will have a blast. And since you earned it, congratulations.
