NavyDoc's Inaugural Adventure W Pics

[NavyDoc]

Hi! For those that don't know me, I met some Freepers on the side of Penn ave. during the inaugeral parade. They were very nice and were in sharp contrast to the unwashed protestors. A brief bio: Enlisted in the USMC as a 0311 back in 1986. Was a rifleman for a year then got an appointment to the Naval Academy. B.S. in English Lit. Naval Flight Officer (re: "Goose") for 5 years then a military scholarship to U. of Michigan in Ann Arbor for medical school. Now a staff anesthesiologist and pain management fellow at NNMC Bethesda and WRAMC here in DC area. I volunteered to provide medical support to the military mission to the inaugeral parade. I was medical officer in charge of Aide station #4, the first military aide station on the parade route. I was filling in for an Air Force Doc who came down ill so actually all my troops were Air Force Personell: 8 medics, 2 nurses, 1 senior NCO, and one admin type. We were stationed on the street, and had a small heated "shack" (for better words) to keeps supplies, put patients, and warm up once in a while. Mustered at WRAMC at 0100 and was posted on Penn Ave at zero-dark-thirty. Got to watch the sun rise just off the Capitol's left shoulder. Pretty early on the cops started to arrive. They were VOLUNTEERS from as far away as Oregon and Florida, and had come to support this inaugeration. They were fun to talk to and were very professional. They JOKED about being there to smash hippy heads!

They marched on line in a very professional manner... I weigh about 225, am 6' 1" and bench 315#. This guy made me feel small and HE was one of the smaller cops!!!!! Some of Virginia's finest ready for some fun! I liked the above image so I had to get a shot of me in the forground.. Ok, and now a pic of most of my posse: Having lots of fun, then enter the nasty, smelly protestors. THis one was actually fairly attractive and her sign reads,"The only Bush I trust is my own." She was behind alot of regular folks, but her sign struck me as funny...besides I am a sailor after all... There really weren't that many of them, but the ones that were there were a pain in the rear. Shouting epithets at me and my medics, spitting, throwing snowballs/fruit. Since I was there to be a doc, not a photographer, I was too busy to get pics of the really rowdy ones. That blather about "spporting the troops, but hating the war," is pure B.S.. At every chance, they laid as much venom and hate upon us as possible. After the CIC rode by they actually tride to rush the barricades, but were repelled by the police with batons and pepper spray. Of course lil ol' me was right in the middle. I treated a couple of cops for eye irritation and bruises. A few of the honor guard that lined the route for bruises (hit in the back of the head with an apple). Next few shots are of the CIC passing. They are bad shots, but I took them with my left hand as he approached, dropped my left and snapped up my right in a sharp and crisp salute as he drew abreast, and was unable to get any followup shots after he passed due to the above bruhaha.

Oh, did I forget THESE guys with their funny, long "suitcases?" Oh yes, the reason I am now a member of this site: there I was; tired, cold, hungry, my feet hurst, harrased by B.O. and patchatouli wearing idiots...walking up and down when I see some more fools waving signs...except on closer exam, THESE signs are supportive and instead of spitting, they are smiling. Instead of shouting obscenaties at me and my guys, these people are saying, thank you. ?????? I needed to have a closer look, and was thus taken into the fold! JCS marched by...very cool. My boys! Semper Fi!!!!

Well after running around all day, dealing with protestors, cold, and a wild horse. (Bucked his rider, got off the route, and was kicking people one block over), cold, sore feet, and one bruised hand (don't ask...facial piercings can hurt if ya smack 'em!). It's time to call it a day. After the last military person was cleared, we got to stand down, about 2100 that night. We retreated to a local watering hole, and I bought my posse many beers. Goodnight and God bless, Zack Kitchen, M.D. LCDR, MC, USN

[RAY]

What a BIO! Glad NavyDoc is on our side!

[Khurkris]

Most excellent. Welcome to Free Republic. Long may you enjoy.

[JSteff]

Welcome NavyDoc! Great job and wonderful pics. Thanks for your service to the Pres and to our country.

My daughter is a USN officer on the Austin (LPD). She loves her career. You sound like you like your's.

Stay safe. Thanks again!

[alnick]

Hey Doc. I'm glad you're here.

Thanks for all you do.

[MEG33]

WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC!
Great pictures. You have my gratitide for serving our country.

[submarinerswife]

You make me proud, Doc.

[Mr. Silverback]

Semper Fi! We're glad to have you here.

Mind if I ask, out of curiousity, what your callsign was when you were an NFO? And were you in F-14s?

[woofie]

Good job

[Mr. Silverback]

Oh, and I hope my Air Force brothers and sisters treated you well...

[NavyDoc]

LOL!
Hey it was for my memoirs!!!



Ok, ok, mom got a few pics too!

[backinthefold]

Wow, NavyDoc, your pics and story are great!

Welcome to Free Republic

(grellis.. you gotta see this)

[joyce11111]

Welcome, NavyDoc....great pictures..and a fine essay.

[Optimist]

Now THAT is how a newby is supposed to do his first post!

Welcome aboard....Semper Fi.....God bless you and your
brothers for your service.... past, present, and future.

[glocker23]

Welcome to Free Republic. Very interesting bio, I'm about to be an Air Force Doc... graduating in May from med school then it looks like I'm off to MGH for surgery residency (I've been on deferrment since completing AFROTC in undergrad) Great pics from the big day, you've found a great group of people here and I'm sure you'll feel right at home.

[RightWingMama]

Thanks for your service and the pictures. Welcome to Free Republic.

[NavyDoc]

Fighter pilots may make movies, but bomber pilots make history!
A-6 initially, but ended up in the P3C Orion.

Callsign: Mellow.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thanks for the report. Have I said it yet today?... I hate leftists.

There,now I feel better.

[Rummyfan]

Great post! Thanks for your service and welcome to Free Republic!

[NavyDoc]

Cool, wich school are you at? 19 years in uniform and not a SECOND regretted!
Congrats.
Z

[investigateworld]

Thank you for your service. Don't be a stranger.