I'm a native Virginian now from Alabama. Still have lots of kin around Richmond. This story of the officials really sucks but look at the bright side, political officials here in Alabama would have gone on the trip too but would have taken officials from other states as well as all wives, kids, inlaws, outlaws and friends and would want us to pay to ship all trophies, souvieners, furniture. etc that they bought back home. Then when the story got out the head man would say we should be grateful to have such dedicated, hardworking state officials representing us overseas. And he'd say that to stop all the negative press he would reimburse the state fully for his part and hand over a check for $100.