Today we headed back downto the Capitol area on the MARC train again for an appointment with one of our Senators from Iowa, Joni Ernst. She served in the Iowa Army National Guard partially while I was at State Headquarters serving in the Iowa Air National Guard. Over the years Doreen and I have attended many events with her.
So we made our way from Union Station to the Hart Senate Office Building where we grouped-up with several other Iowans who were there representing various special interests, such as school superintendent's organization. We were greeted by one of Sen Ernst's aides and then processed in through security not unlike an airport. Then we made our way up to Sen Ernst's office area and assembled in a conference room.
Sen Ernst had laid out her "challenge coins" on the conference table under glass which was really nice. Soon she came in and greeted us all and then met with each group individually to discuss their concerns. Doreen and I did not really have any concerns but we did talk about our military Veterans and her recent trip to Kosovo who Iowa is partnered with under the State Partnership program. Our Army and Air National Guardsmen deploy to Kosovo to help train their military and in turn, Kosovo sends some of their military over here to train with us.
We made our way down the hall talking with Sen Ernst as we went, and in a foyer area we were met with quite a surprise! Iowa Sen Chuck Grassley was there to join us for a photo op! Sen Grassley was a farmer from New Hartford Iowa, a town near where Doreen grew up, so Doreen immediately introduced herself and they had quite a conversation!
Our other connection to Sen Ernst is with her Legislative Correspondent, Haley DeHaes. Haley is the daughter of Brig Gen Drew DeHaes who I served with for many, many years in the Air National Guard. Gen DeHaes was an F16 pilot and became Wing Commander in Des Moines before moving out to Headquarters as the Assistant Adjutant General. We both retired at Headquarters within a year or so of each other. We watched Haley and her sister grow up, and it is so exciting to see Haley here in Washington DC working for Sen Ernst.
Haley and the Schellhase's
Sen Ernst and the Schellhase's
The "Iowa team"
After the photo's we said our goodbyes and headed back towards Union Station. As we exited the Hart Building we passed Sen Grassley's office on the first floor. Apparently the more "seasoned" you are as Senator, the lower the floor your office is on.
We had a couple hours before the 1215 hrs MARC train back to Odenton, so we headed over to the National Guard Museum which is located just west of Union Station. On the way I popped into an idle bus and talked with the driver about the area his bus covered , the cost, etc. Turns out the bus was called the Circulator and during COVID they dropped the charges so it is free. One of the routes it travels is a loop route around the National Mall, and it leaves from Union Station where we arrive on the train. Perfect! We plan to use this tomorrow.
Across the street is the Dubliner Irish restaurant which I have been to before. I plan to bring Doreen here sometime when they are open.
The National Guard Museum is on the ground floor of this beautiful building, along with the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) which is a professional organization that represents the interests of our National Guard at the legislative level.
. The museum is very well done and we really enjoyed it. It covers the entire period of the National Guard, from the First Muster in 1636 to today. Your National Guard has been involved in all of our wars and conflicts and has been there for natural disasters and other emergencies. You may not realize it, but in most states, guardsmen come from virtually every zip code.
Citizen Soldiers and Airmen, dropping the "plow" and picking up the "musket". Working in your communities during the week as plumbers, home builders, electronics technicians, doctors, nurses, law enforcement officers, cooks, administrative specialists - virtually every profession, and when called to duty they bring all those skill sets "to the fight". It is absolutely awesome, and it works! And it is very cost effective compared to active duty. We still need active duty but we compliment each other and come together as a seamless unit when called.
Our former Presidents that served
A few more museum pictures:
When I was the Command Chief at Des Moines there was a call for states to send a quilt block that was assembled into a beautiful quilt that is displayed here.
We finished up at the museum and then headed back towards Union Station but we had more than an hour, so we stopped by the Circulator bus. He runs every 10 minutes and will make the entire loop in about 45 minutes, so we decided to ride the Circulator around to see the route. This is really going to work well tomorrow.
On our loop around the mall, we passed the Smithsonian Museum for African American History. I don't know if this picture clearly shows what we saw, but the line to get in there with their "Timed Entry Tickets" was unbelievable. Hundreds of people standing out in the sun waiting in line to get in the museum, and the picture only shows the SIDE of the building, not the line in the front. I thought it was "timed entry"?? Total mismanagement.
Tomorrow we head back down to the mall area and finish up with the monuments.
Saturday we plan to take the day off from touring and take a break, clean up the coach, etc.
Sunday we travel to Nationals Park to watch the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team host the San Diego Padres.
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