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Blog Entry 4 of 19 Civil Discussion
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Handshakes at Road to Victory rally

Contributed by: Gail S. Kirkegaard   on 9/6/2008

McCain-Palin Road to Victory Rally, Saturday, September 6, 2008


I came home exhausted, hot, and a little dehydrated. I'd been on my feet for about five hours in Colorado's high altitude sun, so my back, heels and head hurt. I considered leaving in search of shade a few times, but I'm proud to have stuck it out to the end of the event.

It couldn't have been a more beautiful day for a political rally. When I arrived at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, my car was directed to a field of weeds, deep, lose dirt and prickly pear cactus. Several thousand vehicles were parked in jagged rows. I chose a spot near a FedEx lot, to serve as a landmark when I came back looking for my car.

People were creative with their signs, and I wish I got pictures of some of them. " Sarah's goin' huntin'" made its point with a target on the behind of a donkey. Others were, " Read my Lipstick," and " Democrat for McCain."

There were no more than a handful of protestors, peaceably waving signs with the weak, unproven theme of "four more years."

Only the first several thousand political junkies could squeeze into the hangar. I was not an early bird, nor was I one of the lucky ones with a VIP ticket. I hung out with the masses in the sunshine looking in on the action.

The program began with a series of speakers and a rousing chorus of favorite patriotic songs. Cheerleaders from a local Christian high school also helped prime the crowd. I did my share of shouting and singing along, until the coziness of the humanity made me a little queezy. I meandered my way towards the back, closer to the tarmac where the Straight Talk Express was awaiting its impending liftoff for Albuquerque.

Back here, I was able to snap some pictures of individuals set apart from the throng. I took almost fifty pictures, and posted eight of them here for your browsing.

By the time Sarah Palin stepped up to the podium, the microphone wasn't working as well as it had for the "lesser" speakers. I could make out bits and pieces, but couldn't hear everything of what Palin and later, McCain, had to say. I mimicked the shouts of those within earshot of the speeches, and waved my flag on cue.

The best part about being in the back was being situated close to the barracade over which the diginitaries will eventually reach to greet weary best-wishers. I caught them on film the best I could, with hands and heads and cameras blocking my view.

When finally I had my chance, I shook the hands of John McCain, his wife Cindy, and Sarah Palin! This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity made the trip, the heat and wait very worthwhile.

I hoped I would have just 30 seconds to tell Senator McCain that I wish my Navy Lifer father could be there with me. Mom died in 1997, and Dad died in 2000. They would have both been very proud to meet the former, cocky fighter pilot, and vote him into the White House. There wasn't a chance for me to tell the nominee anything.

From all I've learned about the candidates, I have reached the conclusion that nobody else who has run for U.S. President this year has EARNED the job more than John McCain!



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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Gail S. Kirkegaard

Lakewood , CO

Gail S. Kirkegaard has posted 19 blog entries and 94 comments since joining on 8/30/2008. Gail S. Kirkegaard 's average blog rating is 4.92.
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