Posted on 09/23/2008 7:47:13 AM PDT by donnab
My mother, son and granddaughter accompanied me to the rally.We decided against taking the shuttle bus to the event, and instead opted to take our chances and go right to the Courthouse area. At that point, we said a prayer and put the day into God's hands. We never expected it to turn out as great as it did. Getting there early, we found parking 2 blocks from the Courthouse. After a wonderful lunch, our waitress directed us to the back entrance of the restaurant which took us to the Courthouse inside the barricades. It was then my son got his first glimpse of the POW Chopper. He was excited. We proceeded to the line up for the metal detectors and found ourselves first in line at one of the queues for the security entrance. Time flew and we met many wonderful people. One man we met was an Italian immigrant who had been in the USA for over 40 years. He loved McCain, loved the USA, and was well versed in the issues we are facing. He was distressed however, because he did not have a ticket and there were no tickets to be had. He was hoping that because he arrived early, they would let him in. I called the local campaign headquarters and told them of his concerns. They told me he should not have a problem, but...so I asked them if my granddaughter really needed a ticket to get in, and couldn't I just give him her ticket? They said it was a great idea and to go ahead and give it to him, which I did. The sweet man had tears as he accepted it and thanked us many many times. As we walked up to the Courthouse after our security check, a staffer from the campaign approached us and asked us to follow him. He lead us to a spot directly in front of the podium. We could not believe our luck. Shortly after another staffer came and asked us to follow her, and had us duck under the ropes, and led us to the bleachers on the stage. It was my mother's first experience at such an event and she was moved by the excitement and the blessings that we were so fortunate to experience. I was grateful that she could now sit down after being on her feet so long. We kept looking at each other in disbelief. How in the world did we get here? Many prayers of thanks were said. The crowd was massive. Reports we saw later said the crowd numbered over 20,000. I do know that it spilled onto the side streets,and ran for a few blocks down the main street directly in front of the Courthouse . It had an energy and positive nature to it that is hard to compare. Even my cynical son was pulled into the atmosphere. When the bus appeared, the crowd erupted into loud cheers. The speeches were electrifying in person. Sarah Palin was a sight to behold. She is confident, forthright, and connects with her delivery in a manner of being one of us. The Teutuls arrival was greeted with cheers, and was a great moment in the speeches. They introduced McCain who delivered his speech with conviction and common sense. Figure that...common sense. When the speeches were over McCain and Palin made their way around the crowds shaking hands, taking pictures, and signing autographs. As we were high up on the bleachers, we could not get to shake their hands. However, Sarah spied my granddaughters sign, which read, "Sarah Palin is my role model- McCain/Palin for the kids." She grinned broadly as she pointed to my granddaughter and gave her a wave. Obviously, she was thrilled. The entrance to the Courthouse was behind us. McCain, Palin and family made their way to that entrance. My granddaughter was standing at the top of the bleacher in front of the door. Todd Palin spotted her and went over to her and reached up and patted her on the head and said," Hello Sweetie, you are adorable." He then asked her if he could see her sign for a minute. She replied, "Yes, sure", and she handed it over to him. He turned with it saying behind him, "Sarah, can you come back here for a minute?", but alas she had already been ushered inside. He did a kind of shuffle, trying to decide whether he should go in after her, and truly looked disappointed for my granddaughter. He apologized to her as he handed back her sign. He looked at me as if to say he was sorry. I thanked him for trying and for noticing her and making her day. My granddaughter was even impressed and she is only 8. The Palins showed my family that they are genuine and thoughtful. Imagine that in politics! As we made our way from the rally, we passed by Carl Cameron. He chatted with us and signed my granddaughter's poster, with ..."Don't forget to vote in 2019." I was taken aback at how sweet he was with her. As we got to our car, we got to see the Straight Talk Express bus pass by. Unbelievably we got out with no problems,no traffic, and were on our way home, excitedly talking about the day's events. More than once, we thanked God for His many blessings in a truly remarkable and memorable day for all.
Well, that is one pic. Are there more?
The speeches were electrifying in person. Sarah Palin was a sight to behold. She is confident, forthright, and connects with her delivery in a manner of being one of us.
Sarah has enormous presence.
Thanks for that wonderful report! We have to elect McCain/Palin for the sake of this Country. Rallies like this show they connecting with people.
You made my morning!
Getting there early, we found parking 2 blocks from the Courthouse. After a wonderful lunch, our waitress directed us to the back entrance of the restaurant which took us to the Courthouse inside the barricades.
It was then my son got his first glimpse of the POW Chopper. He was excited. We proceeded to the line up for the metal detectors and found ourselves first in line at one of the queues for the security entrance.
Time flew and we met many wonderful people. One man we met was an Italian immigrant who had been in the USA for over 40 years. He loved McCain, loved the USA, and was well versed in the issues we are facing. He was distressed however, because he did not have a ticket and there were no tickets to be had. He was hoping that because he arrived early, they would let him in.
I called the local campaign headquarters and told them of his concerns. They told me he should not have a problem, but...so I asked them if my granddaughter really needed a ticket to get in, and couldn't I just give him her ticket?
They said it was a great idea and to go ahead and give it to him, which I did. The sweet man had tears as he accepted it and thanked us many many times.
As we walked up to the Courthouse after our security check, a staffer from the campaign approached us and asked us to follow him.
He lead us to a spot directly in front of the podium. We could not believe our luck.
Shortly after another staffer came and asked us to follow her, and had us duck under the ropes, and led us to the bleachers on the stage.
It was my mother's first experience at such an event and she was moved by the excitement and the blessings that we were so fortunate to experience.
I was grateful that she could now sit down after being on her feet so long.
We kept looking at each other in disbelief. How in the world did we get here? Many prayers of thanks were said.
The crowd was massive. Reports we saw later said the crowd numbered over 20,000. I do know that it spilled onto the side streets,and ran for a few blocks down the main street directly in front of the Courthouse .
It had an energy and positive nature to it that is hard to compare.
Even my cynical son was pulled into the atmosphere. When the bus appeared, the crowd erupted into loud cheers.
The speeches were electrifying in person.
Sarah Palin was a sight to behold. She is confident, forthright, and connects with her delivery in a manner of being one of us.
The Teutuls arrival was greeted with cheers, and was a great moment in the speeches.
They introduced McCain who delivered his speech with conviction and common sense. Figure that...common sense.
When the speeches were over McCain and Palin made their way around the crowds shaking hands, taking pictures, and signing autographs.
As we were high up on the bleachers, we could not get to shake their hands.
However, Sarah spied my granddaughters sign, which read, "Sarah Palin is my role model- McCain/Palin for the kids." She grinned broadly as she pointed to my granddaughter and gave her a wave.
Obviously, she was thrilled.
The entrance to the Courthouse was behind us. McCain, Palin and family made their way to that entrance.
My granddaughter was standing at the top of the bleacher in front of the door. Todd Palin spotted her and went over to her and reached up and patted her on the head and said," Hello Sweetie, you are adorable."
He then asked her if he could see her sign for a minute. She replied, "Yes, sure", and she handed it over to him.
He turned with it saying behind him, "Sarah, can you come back here for a minute?", but alas she had already been ushered inside.
He did a kind of shuffle, trying to decide whether he should go in after her, and truly looked disappointed for my granddaughter.
He apologized to her as he handed back her sign. He looked at me as if to say he was sorry. I thanked him for trying and for noticing her and making her day.
My granddaughter was even impressed and she is only 8.
The Palins showed my family that they are genuine and thoughtful.
Imagine that in politics! As we made our way from the rally, we passed by Carl Cameron. He chatted with us and signed my granddaughter's poster, with ..."Don't forget to vote in 2019." I was taken aback at how sweet he was with her.
As we got to our car, we got to see the Straight Talk Express bus pass by. Unbelievably we got out with no problems,no traffic, and were on our way home, excitedly talking about the day's events.
More than once, we thanked God for His many blessings in a truly remarkable and memorable day for all.
Looks like a huge crowd!
Nothing to be sorry about. It’s a great post. Thanks for taking the time to share your day with us. I enjoyed reading about it.
Thank you for the report. Gave me chills.
What great pictures donnab!
How did you get so close to the stage to get them?!?
WAY COOL!
That is just AWESOME! Thanks for the link!
Thanks ..hopefully one day I will get the hang of it...grins
Wonderful story. Thanks so much for posting it. You made us all feel as if we were with you. It makes clear too what an asset Todd Palin is to the campaign.
Wonderful story. Thanks so much for posting it. You made us all feel as if we were with you. It makes clear too what an asset Todd Palin is to the campaign.
Great report! Sounds like you had fun.
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