August 20,1999

Day 1 of 12

Had a good drive, it rained around Charlotte, but the rest was nice. Saw a Red NB about 40 miles south of Charlotte, a Bright Blue about 20 miles north of Charlotte, Yellow just north of Richmond and a Black in DC with a VA plate of "The Bug". Anyone?

We made it to Washington, DC & got to the hotel at 4pm est. Went to Ford's Theater and the place Lincoln died across the street. We ate dinner at a Waffle diner across the street from Ford Theater. It was interesting to see how many people were involved and executed or jailed for the assassination. 

We rested up a while, checked email and then took a taxi to the Marine Corps Barracks for the Sunset Parade by the Silent Drill team and Marine Corps Band & Drum & Bugle Corps. We had a great time. It was the first Marine Corps event I have been to since I got out of the Corps in April 1984. It was wonderful and Katie really enjoyed it. It was great to be among thousands of current or former of the "finest" in the world. Made me proud to be a former Marine Corps Officer. It was a great show, the USMC band and the Drum & Bugle Corps were great as usual. We had an extra treat because we were sitting next to the proud parents of a young lady in the band who did a solo.

The silent drill team was terrific. They toss and twirl those M1s with bayonets like they are toothpicks. A must see if in the area, reservations are required but it is free.

leaving Katie's Silver NB in the garage	SC Border crossing	NC border crossing	VA border crossing w/ Herbies:)
DC area	Next to Ford Theater		Booth Lincoln was sitting in when shot
Ford theater museum...			Inside Lincoln's booth
Boarding house were President Lincoln died	Bed he died in	Ford Theater	USMC barracks
Flag	cannons	Commandant of MC house	bell
USMC band "The President's Own"			daughter of the people sitting next to us.
			"Chester"
		Silent drill team
			Drum & Bugle Corps
		Colors
Silent drill team doing their thing....
			Tossing 2 rifles between three Marines
	Drum & Bugle
		Pass & Review