Feb. 25 – 27
Department of Washington D.C.

Up at 0530 Thursday to pack for the U.S. Airways direct flight to DC. Everything was on time, and we were met by the limo service that will meet folks for this conference. The room wasn’t ready at the Renaissance hotel yet, so we went to HQ to get some work done. The Department Service Officer School was in session, and we attended the reception for them on the 7th floor of the HQ Building. Verna Jones gave me a pin and said she was making me an honorary member of NADSO – the National Association of Department Service Officers.

Friday, we started in the office again. I have had a toothache for about six weeks now that gradually got to the point where I only chew on one side, and the side of my face tingles to the top of my scalp. So I made a dental appointment at 0945 which they could fit as a consult only. I got all the bad news. The tooth is dying, root canal needed. But Dr. Turner doesn’t do root canals, so he referred me to the dentists across the street. My luck, they had room to start the root canal process. Told me it would take two visits. I asked Nancy to modify my time at home for Easter to start here in DC. Looks like I can get here from California on a redeye at 0845, have the final appointment with her at 1000, go back to Dr. Turner at 1200 for the crown work, return to the airport by 1500, and get on a 1700 flight that will get me to Jacksonville at 2200. Just miss one day at home. Spent the afternoon in the office working on the many hoops you have to go through to get to Kosovo. This was the final day for the DSO School, so we went to their reception in the hotel.

Saturday morning, Liz arrived for the official visit to the Department of D.C. This was the 27th department visit – halfway. On March 2, I have six months left. Where does the time go?

The Department of D.C. visit was a luncheon/reception at the Holiday Inn, Rosslyn-Key Bridge. Department Commander Wendell Dorn was in the VAMC and was not able to attend. We will try to arrange a visit at some point to see how he is doing. First Vice Bron Mogenis briefed me on the various trips they have sponsored for wounded warriors. They have sent warriors fishing and deer hunting in Texas, bear hunting in Maine, on African safaris and to New Zealand. I told him this is the type activities the young vets would be interested in participating and helping out in. The Executive Producer of the internationally televised outdoor series “Huntin’ With The Judge” is the Hon. Julie Mogenis, Bron’s daughter. Bron provided some literature on what they have done.

The luncheon began with the head table forming outside the hall and marching to the dais. A color guard composed of all branches of the service presented the colors. A portion of the Marine Corps Band provided the pre-luncheon music through the National Anthem. PNC Clarence Bacon, D.C. Office Executive Director Peter Gaytan, retired D.C. Office Executive Director John Sommer and his wife, Nancy, were part of the head-table procession. There was also a table of D.C. staffers including Legislative Director Steve Robertson, Economic Director Joe Sharpe and VA&R Director Barry Searle, as well as my Aide Larry and his wife Sandy, and my driver Skip Lee. A total of 118 were in attendance. I had the salmon and Liz had the prime rib. I gave them my push for social networks and told them there were plenty of veterans in D.C. as their market penetration is less than 7 percent. They presented their $1,000 donation to the NEF and $1,000 donation to the Child Welfare Foundation to me. They also gave me a crystal paperweight in the shape of the national capitol, and they gave Liz a plate with various D.C. landmarks around the perimeter. After the dinner, three younger vets and two older vets came forward to thank me for the social network push and assured me they were working to get their members to participate.

We returned to the Renaissance after the luncheon for the Washington Conference.