President Bush Visits Frederick

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.