Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Day 3: Washington DC

I was afraid I would have a difficult time sleeping last night but nope, no way, slept like a baby!  We are rested and ready for this most exciting day.  Of course I know it will be a lot of standing around and going through security but just the thought of what we are about to experience is beyond words.  I mean how often are you invited to attend an event in the East Wing of The White House?  We are both doing well . . . my emotions are contained and Colin is thrilled about going to the White House . . . and wearing his suit too!  We had to submit our life history to receive security clearance for the White House which we both passed.  We arrive at the meeting area at the hotel for our first round of security checks before boarding the bus.  Photo ID, metal detector, and board the bus . . . our police escort was ready to go . . .
Now the cool part was all the buses received an escort through the busy DC streets . . . the cooler part was there were literally hundreds of people stopped on the streets taking photos of the buses as they passed by.  We on the bus laughed but it was really cool!  So cool that all we could do is watch and laugh and forget to snap a photo!  We would soon arrive at the White House.  There were four buses and we were told there was additional security.  Well that was no joke!  I think we passed at least 4 additional screenings walking what seemed like at least a mile before we stepped foot into the White House.  It seemed so quick but in fact from the time we arrived at the meeting point in the hotel to the time we arrived inside the White House was over 2 hours and it was only a 5 mile drive!  I don't know how many times I thought I just needed to pinch myself.  We were given time to wander around before the ceremony would start.  We entered in what I am calling the basement but probably the first floor.  We just walked from room to room admiring it all.  This room was full of shelves of books . . . I didn't dare touch anything but was amazed that many people were pulling books of the shelves and thumbing through them.  It was okay said the aides but seriously wow, just wow . . .
. . . and the China Room with all the official White House patterns . . . even the boy was impressed!
It started to get more crowded as others cleared security so we took the massive marble stairs up to the waiting area and were greeted with yet more impressive military musicians . . .
I could not stop looking at everything . . . up, down, and all around!  It was so overwhelming and knew this would probably be my only visit to the White House in my lifetime!
Colin ran into his new friend from the Pentagon, Dr. Casey Wardynski . . .
And then we enjoyed all the photos of former Presidents . . . twins!
We are from Texas and his Presidential Library is on the campus of Texas A&M!
. . . and then the doors opened and we were seated.
The energy in the room was electric!  We were both just so amazed to be sitting here . . . we saw former Texas Governor (and Aggie) Rick Perry who is now the Secretary of Energy . . . we sat behind  Congressman Dan Crenshaw (that man has the presence of a rock star!) and Congresswoman Liz Chaney.  I mean I could barely contain myself.  I was constantly scanning the room and Colin well . . . he had the biggest smile the entire time and his phone was snapping and recording.
Then there was the press . . . so many!
Then it all started . . .
The moment . . . it was just so amazing to see it all live in person and so close! 
I can not imagine how David must have felt or how his mother must have felt either.  I mean come on I was feeling a proud moment for him and for all that were so closely involved too.
The applause was surreal . . . so loud and long . . . I can not describe it adequately!  It was so awesome!  And then it was over.  Our President left to deal with issues involving Iran, and we were invited to freely explore the Red Room, Green Room, Blue Room and any other area near by.  Oh and the food at the reception was amazing . . .
We sat on the furniture too!  I was like no way!  Can you imagine who else might have sat on this chair or ate at this table?
Then for almost 2 hours we explored . . . the view was amazing . . .
And we wandered . . .
The fresh flowers were amazing and everywhere . . .
Colin with SMA Dailey . . .
. . . and ate again . . . don't judge it was good and we had nothing else to do!
. . . and looked around some more . . . and wondered what was up these stairs!
A few days after Sean died our military post held a memorial service.  It had been an awful week of for our community.  This guy here was alongside Sean in Fallujah and injured pretty badly (he did earn two Purple Heart medals).  He was sent to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany to treat his injuries.  He came to the memorial service just days after being shot in the shoulder.  He was in pain and he was hurting badly . . . from the injury and from the events in Fallujah.  While I was a bit out of it at the memorial, I will never forget his desire to be there in Vilseck for the memorial and meet with me privately before the memorial.  I had so many questions, and he was so kind to talk to me.  It does my heart so good to see him (especially smiling) because I know for him seeing me has the opposite effect.  I remind him of a very difficult time in Iraq and you know what I completely understand his feelings.  I wish he wouldn't feel that way, but we all experience these type of grief/events differently . . . I was so very happy to see him!
The White House Staff started slowly closing doors so we headed back downstairs to look around some more.  The aides were super cool at giving fun facts about artifacts in the rooms too.  This was Washington's sword . . .
I took a quick detour to the restroom . . .
I know seriously isn't this the nicest waiting area?  And since no one was in there I had a bit of fun with the huge mirror . . .
. . . and then we left . . .
My feet were killing me.
Not that my shoes were rubbing my feet but that I had been standing for most of 6 hours and well I don't really wear heels!  But so worth it.

What surprised me the most?

  • The sound of the press cameras constantly snapping; it was so loud!
  • The President is a large man and does not have orange skin like portrayed on the news.  His hair is a bit of a mess.
  • The teleprompter had a VERY large font!
  • I loved watching David Bellavia's oldest son.  His facial expressions and smiles were amazing.  You could tell he understood the magnitude of this award and his pride for his father was evident.
  • We were allowed to sit on the furniture!  Seriously can you imagine who else has sat here?
  • If these walls could talk . . . man the stories they would tell!
  • We will NEVER forget this experience!  

1 comment:

  1. What an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience! It doesn't make up a bit for Sean being gone, and I hope it gave you happiness and feeling that in some way Sean's leadership was being honored. How very nice that you and Colin were invited. Thank you for sharing this very special event!

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