Mom's Memorial Ride Part III D.C. ~~~~ Arriving in D.C. was at first uneventful. After all the emotion tied up in the trip so far, it was almost a let down. The problem was, it ended up to be a grueling 13 hour trip which from Bristol, Tn to Front Royal, Washington D.C. seemed endless. It is actually about 6 hours or so, at the end of a long day, with traffic I haven't had to deal with in some time now. Luckily it wasn't real hot, warm, humid, but that wasn't the concern. I was concerned about my room, in a motel that had forgotten me when I called to confirm recently. Even though they did get it right and sent the confirmation text, I was concerned about night staff not up to speed on everything and the likelihood that there would be countless others crowding the reception area desiring an unreserved room. I ended up trying to talk to a traffic policeman that was involved with doing his job at the time of my frustration and impatience with finding the motel. Plus the fact that the speed limit in this town was "don't move" and most of the residents seemed to drive at half that. Seems that as the world turns, the town doesn't, so you will eventually get to where you are going. Tough on a guy that was raised in an area where if you are on the interstate driving less that 65 miles per hour, you will be run down by a school bus. On top of everything else. The room was not bad, had better, had worse, ever been to Hays, Kansas? But the motel itself smelled of musty, moldy, been wet carpet and cigar smoke. Tough, don't even be a fool and try to find another room elsewhere at this last minute. I knew the next morning was going to be hectic. I rose up early because of my mission. And I was on a mission. I had checked with first, the Oklahoma chapter of Rolling Thunder, then the national chapter, then the official Department of the Marine Corps. Yea, a mission THAT important. I had an idea some time ago. My friend, that by the way, gave me a Marine Corps League challenge coin, one of not so many, has MS and disintegrating disc disease. Recently he had a chunk of his spine removed and replaced with nuts and bolts and hardware, so he could walk. Since he is such a dear friend, I had discussed the fact with him that I do talk about him, but there are important things that I don't know. So I found out his Marine Corps rank, his unit, his whereabouts in VietNam, etc. With that information I went to an area, open throughout the Memorial weekend in Washington D.C., called Thunder Alley. It's called that because of Rolling Thunder. If you don't know what that is, go to a computer and please, I urge you to look it up and learn all you can. It's the reason for my being in D.C. to start with. But anyway, my mission was this. Find every Marine I could and get them to sign a Marine Corps flag I purchased so I could present it to my friend. He can't make a trip like this right now, maybe, hopefully some day we can go together. This turned into an incredibly uplifting, emotional experience that there is no way I will ever forget. As I decided, in this very public place, with all these people I don't know, to just suck it up and start shouting, "Marine Corps, looking for Marines, want to ask a favor of the Marines here"! Anytime, as I searched the faces, that I got eye contact with someone, I would shout, "are you a Marine sir"? What I got for my trouble was amazing to me. I did get some that would tell me that they were in the Army, or other branch, some would apologize to which I would tell them they should never apologize for serving their country in any capacity and I made sure to thank them for their service. But, the incomprehensible part, oh my God....the Marines. All my life I've heard about it, I've seen movies, I've known many Marines in my life, I knew, but I didn't know. These guys and a few gals as well, man....it hammered me with the realization. As these men and women actually discovered what I was doing, for a little while, they insisted that I was one of them. I had my picture taken with people holding that flag to my back or my arm, signing and writing whatever they wanted to for my friend. That's what I told them when they asked, I said you are talking to your brother, not to me. The response was mind boggling. I was being told to tell my friend, "God bless you", "Semper Fi", and the ever popular, "WHOOAH"! I received numerous hugs and witnessed what I could feel was the emotion of something I have no clue about as I received many of what can be very surprising, "Marine Corps hugs". Even got one from a retired lady Marine. I did this for about 4 1/2 hours. Then, totally drained, hungry, thirsty, hot and somewhat dizzy, I went over and got a burger and a water and found some shade to sit in and rest. That's not the end of the story. After I ate, I walked over to where a band was playing. Not just any band. The Lt. Dan Band. A cover band started by the incarnation of Bob Hope, Gary Sinise. I noticed a couple of men sitting at a corner of the barricades, behind the stage and told them about my friend and his flag and asked about getting Gary to sign it. I was instructed in a very friendly manner to go to the left side of the stage, it's possible he'll stop and autograph some things for a few people. Wow, I walked around the stage and there was "the Lone Marine", retired SSGT. Tim Chambers, the reason for many that rode to Washington. I had been in touch with him prior to this trip and he had agreed to sign the flag and he did just that when I spoke to him. Tomorrow, his schedule would be full. To witness the man standing at attention, at present arms, saluting half a million motorcycles as they ride by over the period of 4 or 5 hours to thank them for their service, to honor the riders there to honor him. Unbelievable honor for me to be a part of that. As SSGT. Chambers was pulled away by others, I walked on to the side barricade where some tables were set up with wrist bands and other items, with the name of our only known U.S. prisoner of war, SGT. Bowe Bergdahl, captured and taken in Afghanistan in June of 2009. Basically forgotten by his government. But, as I discussed the matter with the lady at the table, she asked if I would like to come inside the barricades and sit beside the stage, better opportunity of an autograph. Of course I did and she escorted me over to sit beside a delightful young lady who would turn out to be the wife of one of the originators of Rolling Thunder, Inc. itself. What a coup! She remembered my name and the idea of the flag and guaranteed that I would have Gary's signature after the show. The show was so grand! The troops were entertained by a large group of very talented musicians. A cover band with many vocalists to insure a wide repertoire of songs. I can see why their popularity is growing quickly. And they are traveling, doing shows at USO clubs all over. A very noble endeavor, resulting in raising the spirits of our soldiers everywhere. And yes indeed, when the show had ended, Ms. Laura's husband had taken the flag to Gary and he signed it. I figured out then that it has to be better to BE a VIP than to be the friend or acquaintance of one. One more for the day. I had been in the store, picking up a few things. When I came out and went to get bungie cords to tie everything down, as soon as I opened the saddlebag, I noticed a head to my right. Some guy bent over next to me. As we both stood up, he was holding a small screw. He said, "Here, it seems you've lost a screw from your bike". He said he had heard it drop. Now I was standing right there, never heard a thing. I had no idea where he had come from, didn't see him coming toward me as I was walking toward the bike. He just appeared. Anyway, I thanked him and we started talking a bit. I discovered that he was from England, here on business. He named the motorcycle he owned, but it was strange to me and I don't recall what he said it was. But, also this man happened to be a retired British Marine that had been in the Falklands conflict some time back. I told him what I had been doing and he thought it was a great idea. After we talked a bit, we said our fair wells and he went on his way and I got on the bike. At once it hit me, I needed yet one more signature on that flag. I turned in the direction he had gone and he WAS just that, he was gone! That quick, as quick as he appeared, he disappeared ! I scanned the area, looking for movement in one of the few vehicles at that end of the parking lot. Watched for movement, like a vehicle pulling out of a parking space, nothing. My new friend had vanished. I was later told that he was obviously an angel. He held me up for a reason...... What do you think? All in all it was quite a day.