WASHINGTON -- The Fond du Lac High School band is in Washington this week to tour the capital and perform. They celebrated Flag Day Thursday by participating in the National Anthem Grand Finale at the Washington Monument.

After a Harris Poll showed that two out of three Americans didn't know the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner," The National Anthem Project was started to increase awareness of the anthem's words and history. The Grand Finale brought as many as 5,000 students, teachers and music supporters to the Washington Monument to sing the anthem.

Fond du Lac High School junior Steven Steffes said of the band trip, "It's really great being out here in DC and getting to see all of the history that we have learned about in school. It's a good experience I hope everyone can have someday."

Members of the Fond du Lac High School Band join Rep. Tom Petri for a photo during a recent visit to the nation's capital.

Rep. Tom Petri met with the students at the Grand Finale event, and commented, "I think it has to have been very exciting for the high school students from Fond du Lac High School to come out to the nation's capital and participate in the National Anthem Project. The weather cooperated, and I think the students have benefited a lot from the experience."