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!