Monument Tour

 Today was terrific!! Although it was by far the coldest day (with rain, too!), it was one of my favorites since being in the National Capital Region. We left the base around 9AM and were dropped off at the Lincoln Memorial. I cannot remember if I had been here on my previous trip to D.C. back in the summer of my 8th grade graduation. Perhaps I don't recall being there because I was twelve years old and I was more concerned with other things. However, after being here today I am confident that this is a memory that will remain with me. Not simply the Lincoln Memorial but today's trip in its entirety.

 After the Lincoln, we walked through the Vietnam Memorial and then proceeded to the World War II Memorial. This was an impressive Memorial even though the water was drained out of the pool. There must be something going on with the water as all the pools were drained and none of the water fountains were functioning. The WWII Memorial made me think of my grandfathers and their services to our country during this war. Each battle and each state was represented proudly. After lunch we headed to the MLK Memorial. It was as if MLK was pushed through a mountain and his statue was standing freely as the proof. Surrounding his monument were some of his famous quotes carved in the walls behind him. Across the body of water he looks out to is the Jefferson Memorial. We did not have time today to walk to it, but it was still a remarkable sight. Several times today, the President's helicopters (all three varieties) flew over in what I am guessing is practice for the Inauguration. It was an awesome sight to see these helicopters buzz these famous landmarks. We spent some time at FDR's Memorial and then walked over to the Korean War Memorial before being picked up again outside Lincoln's Memorial. It was a great walking tour and one that was on my list for sure when I knew I was going on this trip.

On the steps before going into Lincoln's Memorial

Inside the Memorial

At the reflecting pool

Reflection of the lawn on the Vietnam Memorial

The MLK Memorial

Night out

We went out for a quick trip to the International Spy Museum. It was a neat exhibit filled with actual spy tools and lots of interactive displays. I even crawled through an air vent Mission: Impossible style. There was a very impressive James Bond villain display at the end that was well worth the price of admission.

From L to R: Terrance (EO1), Natalie (IS1), Lee (AC1), Angelica (IS1), Me

In front of James Bond's Aston Martin

Great shirt

After the museum, we went to the Capital Grille, another landmark in the D.C. restaurant scene. I had a phenomenal Porcini Rubbed Delmonico with 12-Year Aged Balsamic. We also had lobster macaroni and grilled asparagus with a lobster bisque to start. A nice Catena Malbec bottle was shared and our night was complete.

Pentagon Tour and Ben's Chili

  We had a great day today! After some training, we took the base shuttle and went back into D.C. for the evening.

Marine One practice flights

 We were very fortunate because one of our shipmates was good friends with someone from his childhood that is now one of three protective bodyguards for the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta. He gave us a private, guided tour of his work spaces (we did not meet the SecDef) and inside the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. The tour was amazing and we got to walk through the Navy Department's floor and the Secretary of Defenses's floor. There was a great variety of artwork throughout the halls.

The flag that draped the coffins of the Pentagon victims

Jimmy Carter (the only submariner President)

 After the tour was over, Kevin (the bodyguard) gave each of us the Secretary of Defense's coin. This is a very rare coin, one that many people simply do NOT have. It was awesome to receive this coin.

 When we left the Pentagon interior, we spent a few minutes at the 9/11 Memorial and it was powerful. The display was lit very eerily at night and it seemed almost futuristic with the LED lights used.

 Very hungry, we set off for Ben's Chili Bowl thanks to my brother's fiancee, Sheri, who told me it is a D.C. legendary establishment. It did not disappoint and in fact, one of our group actually had TWO half-smoke dogs. I myself had one, with cheese fries and a chocolate shake. If it's good enough for the President, it's good enough for me!

The sign in the coffee machine says: "The Only People Who Eat Free are  Obama Family and Bill Cosby. Nobody else."

My half-smoke was GOOD!

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

  After a late night Saturday, it was nice to sleep in and not have anything to do on Sunday. I was still out of the room by 10AM and dropped off in the shadow of the Washington Monument outside the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum/. 

Preparations are underway to add seats for the Inauguration out here as well.

 All I can say is the Museum is powerful and moving and everyone should make time to visit when in Washington. You are given a card that describes someone who actually went through the Holocaust as you enter the exhibits.

I walked the park in front of the Smithsonian on the way back to the Metro Station. 

 It was a short day today as I wanted to get back to do a bit of laundry and watch the Seahawks play the local, Washington Redskins. I stopped at a local market and picked up some good, amber beer and some delicious sushi and enjoyed seeing the Seahawks come from behind to win! go `Hawks!

  I just found out that Obama was on this base today as it is the landing pad for Marine One. I found this out after he had already left, but it was still neat to find out he was here.

Finally off base

We were set free today and I actually got off base. After our morning uniform inspection (again), we headed to the Metro station.
 We made our way through two transfers and three stops and got off just down the street from the US Capitol. We took a walking tour along the Inauguration Parade Route with stops at the Old Post Office and the White House along the way (with quick breaks for lunch and souvenir shopping).
 It was great to get off base and explore this amazing city. We all went as a group (all 43 of us) and there were times when we all wanted to get out of the group and explore on our own. Finally, a group of seven of us made it to the Occidental Grill and had a fantastic dinner and some great micro-brews. We are completely off tomorrow and may go to Mt. Vernon but will get back into D.C.
 As soon as I can find someone with a USB cable, I'll add some more pictures to this blog.

The Capitol is being set up for the inauguration (we are scheduled to work near the main steps!)

At the U.S. Navy Memorial

The media stands outside the White House for the Inaugural Paradr

The Presidential Review Box in front of the White House

In front of the White House

We went to Murphy's Pub in Alexandria before heading back to base.

Day 3

 There's a rumor going around that we might, actually have a slight idea of what we may be doing for the Inauguration...potentially. It turns out that we are slated to work on the Capitol steps! IF that turns out to be true, it's pretty amazing.
  We had a defensive driving course brought to us by AAA today in the off chance that we have to also become Executive Drivers as well as Official Ushers. At lunch, I snapped some pictures of the base and the sights.

The Washington Monument in the WAAAAY back

Marine One (not really, just the chopper)

"Marine One" landing 

"Marine One" on the tarmac

Another view

  Speaking of amazing, I thought Arizona had some amazing sunsets, but here in D.C. for the past two nights the skies here have been beautiful. They are what my mother used to call, "Mrs. Claus baking cookies" sunsets. They are very pink and very bright. Too bad I can't share the pictures with you (boo!). So far, the one thing I forgot was my USB connector for my camera to download pictures to the laptop. Looks like I may have to get one on base somewhere to share.
  Tomorrow we have another uniform inspection but then we are FINALLY leaving the base and taking a walking tour of D.C. I will fill you in tomorrow....see you then!

Day 1-Landed in D.C.

                                                               On the ground in D.C.

  Before I left, I started telling the kids that I was going to be gone in Washington, D.C. for a while to "help Obama." As our kids are aware of politics, they were very excited (at first) to hear of how the President would need me. "Will Michelle be there?" "Will John Boehner be there, too?" were examples of the questions I fielded from my kids. That soon changed the closer to today arrived. The night before, my son and I went to my friend's home to borrow some pins for one of my uniforms. As we were driving, he asked me, "You won't forget me when you go help Obama will you?" ----BOOM---- I thought my heart had been broken before, but wow. That is a question you hear only from your kid and it confirms you are a parent and that you love your kids for sure. "Of course not." I replied quickly. "We'll talk on the computer and on the phone and I'll send you presents." That worked.

  When I left this morning, I had to wake him up to tell him goodbye and try to coax him out of bed to have breakfast with him and his sister while Mommy showered. It took some effort, but he finally remembered I was leaving and jumped out of bed and went downstairs. It was a hectic morning, filled with tears and hugs and kisses, but I made it to the airport. As I was boarding the plane, and walking to my seat, I passed retiring U.S. Senator Jon Kyl who was sitting (surprisingly) in coach. I paid for GoGo in flight WiFi so we tried to Skype during the flight. It worked sporadically, but it made the kids happy. As we landed, I caught a glimpse of the U.S. Capitol and when we taxied, I snapped the view of the Jefferson and Washington Memorials before I deplaned.

  I am staying at Joint Base Anacostia/Bolling (JBAB) just across from all of the great sights of D.C. (I think...when I checked in, it was already dark). We (myself and the 49 other official ushers) find out tomorrow exactly what you all are paying for us to do.

  More details to follow tomorrow...see you then!