President Bush Visits Frederick
January 19, 2008 by Bob Carney
Filed under Local Events
I must say this was pretty exciting news for me. I have never been to any of the Presidential events to see all the hoopla! Of the course the chance to physically seeing him was slim to none, but I did it anyways. I read the article in the Frederick News Post yesterday and thought that would be neat to see. My class in Beltsville was canceled so my schedule was cleared. When would I have this opportunity again?
It was really neat to see it all unfold. I pulled in the parking lot of the Wright Manufacturing as the Security Detail was getting briefed. Fortunately the weather was on my side. Little chilly at times but tolerable. I met up with a few folks wrapped up in the excitement. They will remain nameless to protect the innocent. 
We probed the Secret Service for information for the best place to get a photo op…they couldn’t tell us anything. They were tight lipped…no times, no idea on arrival route…hmmm wonder what they talked about in the briefing??? Yeah, I know this is serious biz for them..been there done that when I was an MP in the Army many years ago.
One lady and I, we’ll call her Mandy, decided to take a gamble and walk around the back side of the building. Sure there was a lot of activity up front, but we weren’t sure if this was “the” place to be. Around back, we questioned the Frederick County Sheriffs Department on where we could watch. It was funny to watch how it all happened… I asked “Where can we watch to get a good view of the event?” The Deputy let us know “He couldn’t answer that question, just that he knew we couldn’t go past him and he was working for this guy” We turned and looked the gentlemen with glasses and discreet indiscreet ear pieces, he said nothing and look at a women in a business suit (and the funny ear piece), a little taller and friendlier looking. She in turned smiled and looked at another woman with a clipboard who then proceeded to inform us of the locations that we could stand. I just got a chuckle on the chain of events…the fear of giving the wrong answer I guess. So it proceeded up the chain of command quickly. Mandy and I didn’t want to make the front page of the news paper for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We proceeded to head over to the “Authorized” location. It turned out to be a very good spot. It was where we could see most of the activity. We ended up in the parking lot of a dance studio and a handful of “crazy” Bush supporters. I thought I was at a Concert — “Play more Free Bird”
We really had front row seats…we were also accompanied by the counties finest, Frederick County SWAT. They checked all the vehicles around us and kept a “close” eye on the “crazy” ladies. It was amazing to see how well orchestrated the motorcade was. They were in the parking lot and turned around for a Speedy exit as the Presidential Fleet whipped into the building. The doors closed quickly. About 15 minutes later…doors open Fleet pulls out and off everyone goes.
Uploading video of the motorcade departure…check back in little while. Also, click on the photos for access to more photos of yesterday’s event.
Bob is a licensed Real Estate agent in Maryland and Pennsylvania. You can contact him via email at bob@gotbob4homes.com or call him on his cell phone at 240-285-4918. Bob left the Frederick area to manage a resort office near Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. He still stays in touch with the area that he has grown to love. 
Bob Carney
A million jokes here, rated R-17
I’m sure you can do that plus one!
Bob you have left me speechless with that play by play coverage! (BWAHAHAHA).
The pic of Bush’s five – count em five – groupies will be of great historical value someday!
Anyway in more important news – I love your new header of the Cluster Spires! Did you take that beautiful panorama yourself? I have been wondering the best spot to try to get a pic of the Frederick Spires ever since I got my new digital toy. Any tips would be appreciated. Your blog header pic is superb.
Have a good weekend and Happy Martin Luther King Day on Monday!
Bob: This August, with the coming of the Republican National Convention, less that a mile from our home in the very blue City of Saint Paul, and no doubt, the President and Vice President, I have the distinct feeling that getting to and from my home will be a MAJOR inconvenience. Add to that, the estimated 30,000 protesters…this could be a summer to remember.
Sondan, Top of the new city garage…not the best view but better than nothing. And the only story I had was the play by play.
Boomer, Traffic was a mess around here. They shut everything down between here and the airport.
Bob, that was fun, been in those kind of meetings before only inside, the security is unbelievable. I love the way you linked your photo’s to flickr. One more thing to learn, but I’m sure you’ll do a tutorial on it!! (wink wink)
It was a very cool experience. You would think this close to DC, I would go see more of this type of stuff.
The longer you are here Bob, the better chance of the unexpected happening. My mother lives in Downtown Frederick and every Sunday I go to visit her there. A few years ago (more specifically it was the end of the Clinton administration) I was making my Sunday trek when there was a sudden traffic jam on East Street that seemed awfully strange for quiet a Sunday afternoon!
I am ashamed to say I was a bit miffed and after a long delay and I started honking my horn. We were force to sit another 5 minutes or so. Once the traffic started moving again I see Hillary and Chelsea Clinton crossing the street. Apparently they were doing some shopping for the New New York home they had just bought and the secret service had been holding up traffic waiting for them to come out of a store and cross the street. Made no sense to me since they could have crossed the street at the traffic light like anyone else – I think the secret service went a bit overboard but hey … what do I know (LOL)
Also growing up here , as a child, I would often see Mamie Eisenhower buying socks for the President at the 5 and 10 cent store. Now *she* was a frugal shopper
Glad you got to see it what you did and thanks for posting the pics. You know I was just teasing about the 5 cheerleaders … don’t you?
Take Care.
Sondan, No you weren’t (re: cheerleaders)
At first when I was told to go stand with them… I thought they were protesters! I was surprised they were supporters.
I was able to see President Bush last year at a local college’s commencement exercise. The traffic was horrendous, the security incredible, but it was the highlight of my year!
Maggie Dokic
Mags, thats about it in a handbag here too.
He must have that affect on places.
Bob – I enjoyed reading every detail of this. We live so close to D.C. and take the monuments, dignitaries and even the President for granted sometimes. Glad you took the time to enjoy some of the hoopla.
Margaret, It was definitely an experience. Everyone else in the community experienced it too in form of traffic back ups and they had no idea why.