Finally after a week has passed I am getting around to recount the odyssey that was Glenn Beck's 8/28 "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington D.C.
I don't recall when it was that I first heard of the 8/28 rally to be held in our nation's capital. At the time it seemed like it was a long way off and that maybe I would go to it. After getting my feet wet by attending a Tea Party rally in Philly with Mr.V. earlier in the year it seemed like 8/28 would be right up my political alley. I was right, for the wrong reasons. It was up my alley, though not political. Actually it was quite devoid of anything partisan or political. It was however, a historical gathering of some 500,000(estimates vary depending on your POLITICAL leanings) decent, like-minded people who love America as it was founded. And, to honor those who fight and die to protect our precious freedoms.
As the summer began to wane and the date of the rally drew near, Mr.V. and I discussed our possible attendance in D.C. and started to balk at the possibility of going. It's far. I'm tired. How much will it cost to get there? How early do I have to get up? If it were more of a political thing maybe I would be more inclined to go. Thank God the independence of our country over 200 years ago didn't depend on a couple of marshmellows like us. Enter, Dudley.
Now Dud, as he is affectionately known, lives in the late Ted Kennedy's state of Taxachusettes. He is married with four sons and lives further away than we two, not so swingin' bachelors. Not living up to his nickname, he was anything but, as he threw down the gauntlet before us saying that he "felt like he was supposed to be there". Also, he wanted to be a good example to his sons. Putting action to his words. Not wanting to be considered "Sunshine Patriots", Mr. V. and I were on board.
Four thirty came early that Saturday morning. Awake before the clock went off I laid there waiting for Dud to call which was my signal to get it into gear. He would be picking me up in about thirty minutes, a quick stop at Wawa for some grub to take with us, and then off to pick up Mr.V. enroute to D.C. Accompanying us for the day were two of Dud's sons. The middle two to be exact. Both in their mid to late teens. Two fine young men who as it turns out, I was proud to share the day with.
As we trekked down I-95 and the sun arose the trip became more real and less surreal. We're really doing this. Glad to not be a marshmellow, I began to revel in the comradery that men, that good friends share. Reliving past memories, telling stories we've recounted countless times, and discussing the pressing issues of the day. All in between mouthfuls of "Munchkins" graciously provided by Mr.V.
Finally arriving at the Metro and after some minor confusion over our ticket purchase, we were on our way. Now I have never been to Washington D.C. in my life, so this was all new territory for me. My junior high class trip was to D.C., but for some reason that I can't remember, I was not in attendace. Not today though. Today was a day to stand up(literally for atleast 3 hours) and be counted.
We got off the Metro at our stop and headed out on foot for about a mile. Not even 10 o'clock in the morning, it was already hot out. The closer we got to our destination, the thicker the crowds of pedestrians became. All heading towards the Lincoln Memorial. Upon our sweaty arrival the first order of business was at hand. Where are the porta pottys? Even as we attended one of the most basic human functions there was friendly banter between those waiting their turn. There was talk of the close call win by the Phillies the night before. Then there was good natured humor found in Dud leaving the line I was in, to what he thought was a faster moving queue, only to be left still in line long after my busines was done.
Now it's off to find our place in history. Over a loudspeaker you could here Martin Luther King Jr.'s voice and in the D.C. heat I got a chill. This was afterall the anniversary marking his "I Have A Dream" speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Powerful and ominous as his words resonated all around the mall. And yes, this is where the handful of detractors were camped out. They carried signs and spouted mostly incoherent pablum. Harmless in their approach, they were mildly amusing, sometimes annoying. My feelings for them veered towards a kind of pity. Pity in that they seemed to be funcitoning in some bizarre comspiratorial haze. But, this is America where freedom of speech is a right. There is no law against stupid(sorry, but I can't think of another word). Anyway... onward we went.
Arriving at the mall, we were shoulder to shoulder in the morning heat. With intermittent movement we searched for a spot to spend the next three hours. Eventually we moved off to the left(not the Left) which was about two thirds of the way back from the Lincoln Memorial. Dropping our backpacks we commenced listening to what was transpiring on the historic steps. We couldn't even see the jumbotron screens from where we were without the aid of binoculars which Mr.V. had brought. But every word uttered from the steps could be heard everywhere. With no prior knowledge of who would be appearing at the event other than Glenn Beck and Alveda King(MLK's niece) we were treated to some nice surprises. Personally, I would have to say that the highlight for me was the awarding of one of three medals to Albert Pujols. Pujols was presented with the medal for Honor award. In his brief speech he was very up front about his faith in Christ. For me it was only one part of the days messages, but a recurring one. A call to faith as a country and as individuals. As a christian(I say that because many different faiths were in attendance) to me it meant my relationship to Jesus Christ. Am I faithful to Him? Am I obedient to Him? Do I love Him? Is He more important than friends, family and country? I guess in the end I thought, is He more important than me? And if so, what does that require of me? And if not, still, what does that require of me? For now, the specifics are personal. Scripturally it kept coming back to me... "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."(II Chronicles 7:14). What I, what we, need to do, and what He will do.
Before the event officially ended, we packed up our stuff and started to the rear of the mall. We were amazed that as we kept walking the crowd went on and on. Thinking that we were near the back of the event, here the throngs extended well beyond where we were standing. It was encouraging and uplifting as was the event as a whole. Not only were there people here with strong, traditional values, they were here inforce to be heard. To be counted.
We finally arrived back at the Metro station which was much more crowded than when we boarded in the morning. It seemed as if the day was far spent, but it was really only early afternoon. We rode the Metro back to the parking garage and headed back towards Philly almost without incident. I say almost because somewhere on I-95 before wh hit Delaware the car in front of us slammed on it's brakes for no apparent reason. As he fishtailed and skidded to the left we thought we were clear of any potential accident. Then, as fast as he veered left he had spun back into our lane. Thanks to some heads up manuevers by Dud we managed to proceed without the exchange of insurance information. Of course, we dissected the incident for the next 20 minutes regarding the how's and why's.
Dropped off at Mr.V's car by Dud, Mr.V and I went back to my place for a beer, a hoagie and a cheesesteak, and watched the end of the Phillies game. My dogs were killing me and it felt great to take my sneakers off. All in all, it was a great day. A sense of tired satisfaction was present. Not that I did anything all that strenuous other than be counted. Sure I had to get up early on a Saturday. I had to walk and/or stand for 4 or 5 hours. It was hot and I was tired. But all of this was nothing compared to what our Founding Fathers had done so long ago. Pledging their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor. And many of them lost their lives and their fortunes with all still retaining their honor. Today I thank God for those do the same. The men and women and the families who volunteer to preserve and protect America and the Consitution. Who fight for our liberties so that we might enjoy a life of peace and freedom. This was really the focus of the days event. To honor and support SOWF(Special Operations Warrior Foundation). Our fellow citizens who are the epitome of honor. Who do what most of us cannot or would not do. We salute you.
In the days that followed I was able to absorb more of what took place at the rally via audio and video clips from Glenn Beck's TV and radio shows. In retrospect I am so grateful that I went and have to thank Dud for being the catalyst in my deciding to go. I realize how blessed I am to have the friends that I have. He and Mr.V are two of my oldest and dearest friends. Also, by going to the rally I am reassured that I am not alone in my beliefs and in my love for this country. Finally, I am convinced that I was born in this time, in this place by God's providence(As are we all). That He has a purpose and a plan for me. I may sometimes miss it. And like Jonah, I may flee from it. But I know that true fulfillment can only come from doing what I am supposed to do. Not always what I want to do. 8/28 was a case in point. I really didn't want to get up early on my day off to go to Washington D.C. and sweat with aching feet around some 500,000 strangers. But I did, and I went, and I'm glad and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. It's a memory that will be with me until I breathe my last.
"And now abide faith,hope,charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity"
I Corinthians 13:13
