National treasure
Eagle Grove natives give son birthday trip to Washington, D.C.
-Submitted photo <Br> Eric, Tara and Max Johansen met Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, while on their trip. Eric Johansen served as an intern in Grassley’s office 15 years ago. Eric and Tara Johansen are both Eagle Grove natives.
-Submitted photo <Br> Eric Johansen, a native of Eagle Grove, and his son, Max, pose for a photo in front of the original entrance to the U.S. Capitol. The two, along with Tara Johansen, paid an extended visit to Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
-Submitted photo <Br> Max Johansen, the son of Eagle Grove natives Eric and Tara Johansen, stands next to the Senate Shuttle in Washington, D.C., before visiting the Capitol.
-Submitted photo <Br> Eric, Tara and Max Johansen met Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, while on their trip. Eric Johansen served as an intern in Grassley’s office 15 years ago. Eric and Tara Johansen are both Eagle Grove natives.
-Submitted photo <Br> Eric Johansen, a native of Eagle Grove, and his son, Max, pose for a photo in front of the original entrance to the U.S. Capitol. The two, along with Tara Johansen, paid an extended visit to Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
-Submitted photo <Br> Max Johansen, the son of Eagle Grove natives Eric and Tara Johansen, stands next to the Senate Shuttle in Washington, D.C., before visiting the Capitol.
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GRIMES -- Eric and Tara Johansen knew just what their son, Max, needed for his 10th birthday.
And it wasn't a gift that could be purchased locally.
Instead, the Eagle Grove natives planned a trip to Washington, D.C., to fulfill an ever-growing passion for their son.
"During the past few years, Max's interest in history exploded," Tara Johansen said. "Instead of cartoons in the morning, he will many times turn on the documentary 'WWII in Color' on Netflix.
"For his 10th birthday in November, we wanted to give him an experience instead of more 'stuff.' Eric and I thought a trip to Washington, D.C., would be the perfect experience."
Earlier this year, that's exactly what the three did, taking in all the sights, sounds and statues of the nation's capital.
"Seeing Washington, D.C., in person was really fun," Max said. "I got to visit George Washington's home, Mount Vernon, and hear about what it was like living there during Washington's time. I also got to be an undercover spy, Agent 711 in the Culper Spy Ring, which I had read about in a book. I'm happy to say I completed the mission.
"Seeing Washington, D.C., from the top of the Washington Monument was so cool. That, and meeting Sen. (Chuck) Grassley and Sen. (Joni) Ernst are two things I will never forget."
It should come as no surprise that history and politics are an interest for Max, as his father holds a degree in political science and public administration from Buena Vista University.
Eric Johansen spent over a decade working in politics and currently serves on the Grimes City Council.
"I had a phenomenal middle school teacher, Scott Jeske, who challenged and encouraged my passion for politics and government," he said. "During college, I spent a semester as an intern on Capitol Hill for Sen. Grassley. That experience was life-changing for me, and with Max's interest in history and government, I wanted him to experience Washington, D.C., first-hand."
Tara Johansen echoed those thoughts, saying, "It's one thing to read about history, but to walk the same grounds as George Washington, step foot in the Oval Office and sit in the U.S. Senate gallery during a contentious point in history, those are experiences that make history real."
The group also made connections with several friends and even a few fellow former neighbors from Eagle Grove.
"While at Mount Vernon, our scheduled tour time happened to put us in the same group as other Iowans -- Eagle Grove natives Karl and Jodie Helgevold and Del Voss," Tara Johansen said. "It was completely happenstance, but great to connect and share the experience with them."
For Max, the trip has fueled his desire to return for another look.
"I kind of want to be an intern like my dad, but I'm not totally sure yet," he said. "I had a lot of fun in D.C. and definitely want to go back."
The Johansen family currently lives in Grimes with their three children.