PENTAGON ~ D.C. FD ~ WRAMC

Now THIS was an amazing day!

DC was unreal.  There are so many who made this stop one that we will remember for many years to come.   And we appreciate each and everyone of you!

First thanks have to go to Jordan, Elijah, and Joel.  Had we not met any of you, this tour would be so much less memorable.  Each of these men stepped up above and beyond for H2H.  Salutes to all!

Early morning found us at the Pentagon.  We've been there twice before, but never inside, and never knew if we'd get in.  This time, between the fine folks at Salt Lake City PD & our new friend, Jordan.

We showed up in the parking lot, as directed.  When security came up to us, they mentioned that they were told we had a marked vehicle.  I remember laughing that "Does it get anymore marked than this?!"  He told us we were cleared, and to follow him.  We assumed he was leading us to a visitor's center, but no.  He led us into the inner courtyard of the Pentagon!  OMIGOD!  (Would have loved to have seen video of our faces at the moment we made that realization!)

We were taken up to McArthur Hall,  and had fun watching the various personnel check out the tour van while we were inside.

Upstairs, we waited for tables for our presentation.  When that failed to happen, we toughed it out and the fine officers of the Pentagon Police Forces didn't stand on ceremony, they got down on their knees to sign their messages of support for our Troops.  That moment was nearly as humbling as the moment that the Chief took possession of the Honor Shirt we presented on behalf of the NCO Leadership Academy at Fort Lewis.

This shirt was beautifully done, and the impact of the heart that the Troops put into this was more than obvious.  Watching the Chief as he fully understood what this particular shirt meant, brought me to the verge of tears, and I was not alone.  (Do yourself a favor, enlarge this 1st pic - you'll see the heart in it!)

I would like to personally thank and commend the NCO Leadership Academy.  The time, effort, and meaning in this shirt set the bar high.  We salute you for this effort!

We were given a great tour by the guys, and nothing was cooler than having these big guys in their gear with weapons, escorting us through the Pentagon ... Carrying a teddy bear!  Major points!

They even treated us to a Starbucks coffee downstairs ... More points!  ( ;

These were some of the most fun bad a** shots we did, too.  I happen to think Jordan's pic looks like a movie star!  I can see him on 24.

We were all set up for an escort over to DC FD 1, when the "Capital Hill Gunman" incident occurred, and it was time for them to earn their paychecks.  We left with the lunch they provided, and a great bunch of memories.

We were told to come back next time and they'd "do it up right" for us.  Wow.  No idea what that means.  But this is an annual stop, so we can't wait!

Footnote: We ticket cops all over the country ... It was a Pentagon cop who sent in the first shirt to pay his fine!  Again, niiiice!

We made our way downtown to DCFD.  It was tough with all of the excitement about the "gunman" ... and it was HOT!  We felt bad for the firefighters, whose a/c had gone out.

So the room was hot, and the greeting was warm.  We presented an Honor Shirt, done specially for them by the 2nd Cav Reg at Fort Lewis.  These are always the best moments, when we are able to show the respect back to the fire and police from our Troops.  This will be a permanent part of the program.  we salute the 2CR, and welcome them to Fort Lewis!

The bad ass shots were even more special outside when they all geared up and did action shots with the rig.  (Love the message to Mom!)  So hot, and they don that heavy gear for us.  You rock!

DC can be proud of these folks, we are!   See y'all next year!

Then it was on to Walter Reed, to visit our friends at WRAMC FD.  Talk about a hoot!  The Chief there had us crying from laughing, and his guys are no slouches either.  We always have fun here!  Oh, and Bruce, you need to be here next time, or they'll just keep pickin' on you in your absence!

Next stop was the most personal, and heartfelt of the tour.  We'd been contacted by a wounded Troop, asking for a shirt.  I promised I'd hand-deliver him one.  So we visited the Mologne House at WRAMC.  No pity here.  Just wounded Troops battling once more, this time on a personal journey.

As it turns out, we were able to get him one and a number of others, right from their hometowns we'd just visited!  And ... We had a bunch of shirts from Destination Harley, in Fife, WA to pass out.  They were happily accepted.

We do not have many pix from this visit, as we didn't want the Troops to feel they were on display.  We just wanted to bring them some love, laughter, smiles and respect from home.  We hope they felt special.  We did when they hugged us and thanked us for the visit and shirts.  I will personally remember these young men all my days, and we'll keep them all in our prayers!  We ask you all to do the same! 

Elijah, be well, and keep that great smile!

Last stop for the day was the ER at WRAMC.  It was so cool that some of the same personnel was there from last year and they remembered us and SHertz.

Fortunately they weren't busy, cuz after that whole gunman thing, Sharen needed to be seen.  They diagnosed a panic attack, and sent her on her way with hugs and a prescription for lots of TLC.

Even more fortunate, they were able to take time to be presented an Honor Shirt from Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis.  This one was from staff to staff.  Inevitably the wounded Troops that come home to MAMC, have already been treated at WRAMC.  This was just a chance for one hospital to take a moment for another, as part of the amazing teams that truly do give care with compassion.  We salute all of the medical teams helping our wounded ... This includes the field hospitals and CSH's.

Many thanks, and much respect to every one involved with making today such an incredible memory!

V/R

lj