WASHINGTON, D.C. » During Thursday’s three-hour tour, Hawaii football players exited their buses and stepped into America’s history.

"This tour," defensive end George Daily-Lyles said, "is better than anything we can learn in a book."

The Rainbow Warriors, who are staying in Maryland ahead of Saturday’s game against Navy, set aside time for what coach Norm Chow described as the "education process." That meant touring Washington on Thursday evening and meeting with Hawaii’s lawmakers today at the U.S. Capitol.

"The tour was awesome," quarterback Taylor Graham said. "It was a very special experience."

During the first stop, the players and coaches posed for pictures, with the White House as a backdrop.

"I was born on President’s Day," said defensive lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii, who was named after the country’s 35th president. He has a cousin named Lincoln.

Before each game, Chow cites this line from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.: "The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

That quote is one of several etched into a marble wall at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Several players took Instagram selfies next to the quote.

"I knew the story about Martin Luther King Jr., but this puts his life into perspective," Daily-Lyles said.

Later, Daily-Lyles became misty-eyed as he stared at the 30-foot granite sculpture that is the centerpiece of the exhibit.

"Being an African-American, this statue means a lot to me," Daily-Lyles said. "He did so much for so many people in his life."

Defensive end Beau Yap said: "It’s a great tribute to a man who did so much for this country. It’s really kind of motivating in a way."

The Rainbow Warriors also visited the Lincoln Memorial, as well as memorials for veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam War, and Arlington National Cemetery.

"All of these people did so much for our country," Yap said. "What these guys did is above anything we could do on any given day."

Linebacker Brenden Daley used his iPhone to take pictures and Google facts about each site. For many of the players, their only image of the Lincoln Memorial was from the backs of pennies.

The players were particularly moved when the guides spoke of the missing soldiers whose names are marked with a cross on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall.

"It’s very surreal," Daley said. "It shows that football is on a minor level. There are a lot more important things. It’s definitely breathtaking. It’s good to get out of football and see this."

Chow said: "You see the Vietnam Memorial, and there are more than 50,000 names. You realize each of those names had a mother and a dad, and maybe sisters and brothers and children. It was really moving. I think the players appreciated it. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a lot of these guys."

After returning to the hotel, Graham still had chicken skin.

"It was great to see the monuments and the history behind them," Graham said. "I can say for a fact we’re all inspired. It was a very special experience. I’m sure we won’t forget this for the rest of our lives."