Kontan’s Place

I really should be in bed, but I wanted to share this. We spent today finishing up our home hunt then drove to DC for a quick look around. We arrived and searched for parking around 4 or so. By 5 we had found a place to park and discovered that GRF would be arriving soon. After a little discussion we decided it would be really cool to experience this event. So…we decided to join the line while it was still early and fairly short. GRF was supposed to arrive around 6 and the public was supposed to be able to enter the Capitol Rotunda by 8. We joined the line around 5:15 and entered the Rotunda sometime after 9, but before 10.

After standing in line for several hours we were finally allowed to move forward to the security area. After going through that checkpoint we stood in the designated area on the steps of the Capitol where we formed another shivering line. This was another opportunity to wait and the point at which we begin to wonder if this was worth it, thinking “might as well, we made it this far.” When the line finally began to move into the Capitol the mood shifted to one appropriate for such a memorial. As we entered the Rotunda we were awestruck by how beautiful our Capitol truly is and how spectacular the coffin shrouded in the American flag looked in the center with the various guards. We followed the path circling around President Ford and paused for the changing of the guard. To seem so simple, it was an amazing event for me to watch. I was touched by the mood of those present and the honor of the event.

Even though it was a chilly evening and long wait, I have to say it was worth it. We met some really neat people in line. A couple and their teenage daughter from one of the Carolinas. He was retired Navy, and his wife was from Brazil. They had an entertaining daughter who thought this was the coolest thing, but after several hours realized that we were waiting and waiting for the opportunity to walk past the casket. She quickly got over the reality and realized that it was pretty cool. There was also the nice people from Kentucky and the guy from the Georgetown/Foggy Bottom area. He was attending George Washington University, working and going to school. He too decided at the last minute to join this adventure. My favorite line friend was Gene. Gene was from San Antonio and a fan of GRF. He came to DC specifically for the memorial service. A truly genuine man with such a sweet personality. I enjoyed talking with him and also observing his remembrance of Gerald Ford.

Despite the fact that this was an impromptu decision and that I probably haven’t made much sense relaying it to you, it is something that I am truly thankful we participated in.