1/21/13

Up at 0100 after (I think) 4 or 5 hours of sleep. A hot shower and a cup of yogurt before getting in my dress blues with thermals, two socks, and two pairs of gloves. Brewed my coffee and out the door at 0200.

We were picked up at 0230 and we were off to the Secret Service screening area to have our bus and our possessions "swept" for security. After we were deemed "clean," we boarded the bus and headed to the Capitol.

0430 we depart in Convey A, a nearly mile and a half long convey under full police escort, sirens blaring and everything. We arrive at 0500 and head into the Capitol Visitor's Center for a "heater meal" of eggs and bacon. At 0615 we headed out to the West Lawn to start our duties.

Dawn at the Capitol

 As the sun rose, the people started coming in. Two teenage boys were the first to come into my section and they were absolutely shocked that they got to sit so close. Slowly more came in. Some of the celebrities I saw were (in no particular order):

1. Jeffrey Wright
2. Kevin Frazer
3. Jesse Jackson
4. Steve Harvey
5. David Corn
6. Marlon Wayans
7. Angela Bassett
8. Soledad O'Brien
9. Nick Cannon
10. Byron Pitts

  Fairly soon, there were people everywhere and all in Section 5 had their seats. The time really flew by once the crowd entered and before you knew it, we were saluting the Commander-In-Chief as he was walking in. It was amazing to be that close and to see and hear everything first hand during the Inauguration. When it was all over, the rest of the Ushers couldn't believe how fast 11 hours can go by when you're seating over 15,000 people. 

 The next morning we went back to the Capitol and managed to get onto the platform where just 24 hours earlier the President was standing.

 This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget and will do again if I get the chance. Over the next few weeks I'll try and post more photos and add more links.

Almost home...

I will be posting a final summary to include the Inauguration and days after when I get back to Phoenix. Thanks for your patience!

**Update**

So, I'm at the USO which is really nice here in D.C. I'm enjoying a refreshing Mountain Dew and some free WiFi. I'm glad I'm here at 1PM as my flight isn't until 5PM! So, I may post some photos...you'll just have to see. ;)

Saturday on the Mall

 We went back to the Smithsonian again to finish walking around and catch another great IMAX movie. Today we saw Hubble 3D narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. It was really amazing seeing the images in 3D and on a huge screen. Afterwards we walked through and saw the rest of the museum including the original Wright Brothers flyer, very amazing. What's crazy is that only 60 years after that first flight, humans landed on the moon.

 After a quick lunch (and an Oreo milkshake) we headed to the Natural History Museum. It was my first time and there's no way to see everything (especially in a group), so we saw only a few exhibits. But, I did get a chance to see what I look like as a neanderthal.

 After a nice coffee and some people watching, we headed into the mall and saw all the media gearing up for the Inauguration. 

Then, my friend, Angelica and I, went to the National Day of Service and saw all the volunteer opportunities across the country.

Angela Bassett

                                               

Getting close!

 I know I haven't posted in a while, but we haven't had much chance to get off base lately. We've been practicing a lot for the big day on Monday. In fact, we had a uniform inspection this morning.

I'm in the 2nd row on the left

 Tonight we went out for lunch and ended up where all the D.C. food trucks were during the lunch rush. It was a tough decision, but I ended up getting amazing Mexican steak from a great food truck.

 After lunch we headed to the Air and Space Museum.

Watching IMAX 3D

This was a great view from the "bridge" of the Navy section.
It actually looked like you were watching planes take off.

We spent the afternoon there and went to a tiny dive bar for dinner. My Brother's Place had $1 beers that went up $0.25 every hour after 5PM. It was great!

Day at the Pentagon

 We had another personal tour set up for our group at the Pentagon. It was very interesting getting walked around by people that actually work inside the building. We were escorted by the deputies and the flag officers for the Admiral that is in charge of all the Navy Reserve Force.

 On this tour, we were able to get into some unique locations. We were met outside the Pentagon briefing area and got to go inside to see where the press conferences happen inside.

 During lunch, we were given time to "wander" around and because we were in uniform, we could do so freely. So, Terrance, Lee, and I walked up to the Chief of Naval Operations office to poke around. Although he was travelling to Brazil, he had a great Senior Chief who offered to show us around. We were able to go into his office and see where the highest ranking Navy Officer works.

Wait...that can't be it

1/14/13

 We had a brief morning after the long Sunday rehearsal. We dropped our uniforms in the cleaners so they'd be sharp for "I-Day" (Inauguration Day). On the docket was a trip to Terrance's D.C. office of the Letter Carriers of America.

 We walked down there only to find out his two co-workers happened to be out of the office that day. So, we decided to go to lunch. Lee read about this hole-in-the-wall gourmet sandwich shop and we decided to go. It was in a neighborhood I probably wouldn't come back to at night, but we made it anyway. When we came up to the corner I said, "Wait...that can't be it." Fast Gourmet was behind a Valero gas station. We went in and were surprised. It was a hip place with great food. We all ordered a Chivito and were all very happy we did.

Chivito sandwich

 After some more souvenir shopping, we headed to the Capitol City Brewing Company to have some refreshments and a good dinner. 

Amber Waves Ale

 We had a great night out and were back early as we were headed to the Pentagon in the morning.

Rehearsal

Today started at 1:30 AM after three or four hours of sleep. Today was our dress rehearsal. We boarded the bus and headed to the rally point with the rest of the branches of service. We left around 2:15AM in a convoy that was at least a mile long. It was impressive! We had police escorts and the freeway and all streets closed from the base to the Capitol.

 When we got outside, it was cold and foggy. The Capitol was empty and when we went around the back, the dome was brightly lit behind a thick wall of fog. We could barely see the Washington Monument in the back due to the fog.

 We were broken up by ranks and were told we needed to have so many E6's (my rank), E5's, etc. in each section. We are on the West lawn with a great view. In fact, if all goes to plan I will have quite the unbelievable seat for the 57th Inauguration.

Here's a better view.

Where the light post is to the right of the tower in the middle is where I'll stand.

And here's the President's view.

This is how our group will be lined up. My friend, Lee, is the last person on the right.

More Photos from CBS News of the Rehearsal

More Photos from CBS News of the Rehearsal 

This was our group right before we left for the day.

I am third from the left in the back

In the previous photo, where the President of the United States (POTUS) will be is the  semi-circle jutting out from the middle in the background. I will be directly to the left of the large tower to the right of this picture.

 We have a week left until the Inauguration, so my spot could change. But, if it doesn't, it will be one unique view to history.

Quick trip out

Today we made it a short day and were back around 3PM. This is because we are all trying to get to sleep at 8PM as we have to be up at 1:30AM Sunday and off to a dress rehearsal for the Inauguration starting at 2:30AM!! Yikes!

 So, we went to Ford's Theater this morning and after that the National Archives. Ford's Theater was interesting as I had never been inside before. The box is still there and it is very eery being that close to where a horrible moment in history occurred.

The smaller house in the middle is where Lincoln died.

 Across from the Theater was a giant souvenir shop, so we stopped in and did some shopping.

 The National Archives were amazing. No, I did not steal the Declaration of Independence, but I did see it and the Constitution and Bill of Rights. They were spectacular and it was a prideful moment being in the room that houses the framework for our entire government, country and society. Also, to be in that room while preparing to exercise one of the founder's ideas of a "peaceful transfer of power" was a very proud feeling.

 In the gift shop of the Archives you could do some genealogy (slight). So, in that spirit, you could decorate your own family's history book. Here's my stab at it:

 I should have even more details about our roles and responsibilities tomorrow.

U.S. Capitol Tour

Today we all got in our Dress Blues (This is NOT us) and went to the U.S. Capitol for a tour. It was a really great tour and we felt very privileged being there as everyone was very nice to us whilst in uniform. We saw all the great sites: The old Supreme Court Room, the Rotunda and even got to sit in the gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives. At lunch we got a chance to eat in the House's cafeteria and sat at the table with a real-live lobbyist from the Citizens Opposing Prohibition as he extolled the virtues of legalizing ALL drugs, not just marijuana. It was an interesting lunch needless to say.

 After lunch, a friend and I walked across the street to the Senate office buildings in the off-chance we could see our Senators. I did make it to John McCain's offices but he was in a meeting so we couldn't see him. We stopped by Jeff Flake's office but he was out of town. As my friend is from Missouri we went up to see Claire McCaskill but she was back home. We did chat with her staff and they even gave us each a bottle of the Senator's favorite root beer from Missouri that she keeps in her office as we left.

 It was a great trip and ended at the West lawn where the Inauguration and our Usher duties will be on 1/21/13.

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!