Posted on 01/22/2005 6:55:01 AM PST by kristinn
The Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball was a wonderful, but exhausting time. I'm still wiped out. But, I know folks are waiting for pics and stories. I'll add my observations later, but I wanted to share one thing before I head back to the hotel to see 'Governor' Robinson and his family off.
We received a phone call from the White House yesterday. The Office of Presidential Scheduling called to pass along President Bush's regrets for not being able to attend our ball (we had mailed a formal invitation to him and his family.) We were told, "He hopes it went well."
As it turns out, the ball went really well after a late start.
Governor Huckabee and Capitol Offense rocked the house well past midnight. Impressionist Billy Finch did a wonderful job as Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful. Sauropod's video presentaion was stunning. The speeches by the Iraqis were very moving. WMAL's Michael Graham did a great job opening the show. Nick Danger was excellent emceeing the Eagle Awards. The St. John's College High School JROTC were magnificent presenting the colors. Richard Poe was busy all night signing copies of Hillary's Secret War. Seeking the Truth and his wife, Darlie, couldn't take a break--their 0Cents.com merchandise was very popular.
Thanks to all for their hard work making sure the ball went so well. And a special thanks to the active duty service members from Walter Reed and the Pentagon, as well as the veterans, who accepted our invitations as honored guests to the ball.
Please post your reports and photos or links here. I know alot of folks are traveling home, so check back over the next few day as folks check back in on FR.
What or where is the video(?) I've read about several times that Sauropod put together???
FGS
Howdy everyone! We're home! What a great time we all had!! Congratulations Kristinn and all who worked so hard to make this event a great success! Thank you all very much!! Met a lot of wonderful old friends this week and a lot of them for the very first time! Loved every minute of our trip! Bravo to Gov Huckabee and Capitol Offense! What a great performance!!
Thank you for your help. I was reading the Post over someone's shopulder on the Metro Fri morning and it looked like they had a timeline with interviews from different people. I was interviewed around 3pm at the FR sector. I really don't know if I actually made it into print but he seemed interested that I actually had a son serving in Iraq. Just interested to see how they "spun" what I said.
Thought you said in an earlier post your husband was joining you. Just go on out there. You might be surprised that others were waiting for your leadership. That's the way the DC Chapter started. One man ticked off and posting "I was there where were you?"
Not too bad. We spent most of yesterday just trying to keep ahead of the snowstorm.
Ping to post #187. I will make a copy of the 2001 Inaugural Ball for you too.
Good idea. Actually there is another in our county I know of and possible more. I'm sure the one would join me. That makes 3.
Nice Photos Mr. Buzzcut. thanks
I thought I had one of you and your husband ... lemme look again ...
Hmmm .. I don't ... damn whiskey!
Whiskey? why I was totally unaware that you partake! LOL
Only on special occasions ... like coming home from work ;)
For example, while riding the Marta train in to watch the parade, just as we pulled into Union Station, a well dressed gentleman waved some green tickets in front or us, and beseeched us to take these tickets to the Inauguration Ceremony. Not know the layout of DC at all and being a bit suspicious of strangers, I started to refuse, but the man looked me straight in the eye and said "You came all the way down here for the parade? If you've never seen this before, you HAVE to see it, its your duty!". I grabbed the tickets and we jumped off the train just as the door closed.
He was right. Despite the hour and a half waiting to get through security, we felt a deep sense of patriotic honor to witness the inauguration.
Then, trying to get to the American Sector, we worked our way down Pennsylvania Ave., snaking our way through a single file walkway that we probably shouldn't have been on. We found ourselves right in the middle of the ANSWER demonstration. They were as thick as underarm hair in front of the Canadian Embassy, and got right up in our faces, yelling and screaming. Now we are not used to people not respecting our personal space, and we come from a slightly gritty part of Connecticut. Lets just say that we know how to take care of ourselves. One jasper got a little too close to my wife and before I could lift a finger, she let him know that his future children's lives were at stake. A spark of sensibility showed in his eyes and he quickly backed off. You simply don't mess with a six foot Irish redhead (well, I do but thats none of your business :-).
Unable to reach the American Sector via Penns. Ave., we were routed up to D street, and then found ourselves in the middle of the Anarchist's little tantrum at 7th and D. I have pictures of the motorcycle cops riding in to the rescue and another contingent donning their riot attire. Looking at the size of the crowd waiting to get through security, and the police in riot gear approaching us down 7th, we decided that our presence was required elsewhere and we split. Wish we could have joined you at the parade.
We went back to our hotel and prepped for the ball. We shared our table and dinner with Marine Col Olsen and his wife Katia and Army LtC Jergensun and his wife Ann. Excellent company we had an excellent discussion on the history of the Muslim Caliphates with the LtC. Enjoyed the presentations, especially Sauropod's, and then danced the evening away. Had some dessert with some folks who had travelled in from Arkansas with the Governor, and closed the party.
Made our way back to the hotel around 1:00 a.m., knocked down a couple of Advil to dull my throbbing ankles, and slept until 9:30!! Introduced my wife to GRITS for breakfast and then took a leisurely ride home to Connecticut to gather our kids and batten down the hatches for the blizzard. And so, here I sit with a hot cup of tea, sidewalk and driveway shoveled out and glad to be home. Thanks, Kristinn and all the other freepers who contributed their time and effort. We had a great time!
Oh, and I also got to shake Jim Robinson's hand!
That's great! Hope she got him good!
We're from a tiny community. Washington was such big time for us. The Metro blew my mind. And oh yes, I learned one thing...Don't even smile at a homeless person. I had a friend for life with that one!
Glad you are home safely, Jim. Sooooo happy you flew and didn't drive!!
We all had a "ball", didn't we!!??
We definitely had a ball!
Thanks for putting on such a great show. It was an honor to be in the company of so many fine Americans (and Iraqis.)
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