Memorial Day trip

I didn’t fall in!

I spent all last week in Washington DC. I arrived on Friday, May 16th. I immediately went to the opening reception of the GI FILM FESTIVAL. I had the honor of meeting several American heroes at the reception. I visited for quite awhile with David Bellavia, author of HOUSE TO HOUSE. His story is truly amazing. You MUST read his book. I also met SFC Phillip Jacques whose deployment was documented in one of the festival’s featured films, THIS IS WAR. Jacques was wounded in Iraq and returned home to continue to help returning soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Visit his website to see how you can help.

The rest of the week-long trip was just as amazing.

The Lowry family came together on the weekend for a short reunion and my middle son’s graduation from the Washington College of Law.

I visited the Pentagon on Monday and Tuesday to conduct interviews for NEW DAWN. I visited the Marine Corps Archives at Quantico on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, I was the interviewee for an upcoming radio special on the second battle of Fallujah. It will be aired sometime this fall on Gene Pell’s VETERANS CHRONICLES. Thursday afternoon, I returned to Quantico to visit with my friends at the Marine Corps History Division.

After a whirlwind week of research, interviews and beers with heroes, Friday was the finale to a wonderful trip. When I first arrived at the Pentagon on Monday the 19th I learned that Gereral Petraeus was in town for his confirmation hearing. I had sent him an email asking if I could meet him in person. He replied that he might be able to squeeze me in on Friday. HE DID!

Friday evening, I had the honor of meeting General Petraeus for a thirty minute chat. Then, I went to the Evening Parade at the Marine Corps Barracks at 8th and I as a guest of General Natonski.

All-in-all, it was a great week. Now back to work. I will be posting soon.

Semper Fidelis,

Richard