The buzz started early on Sunday.
Some heard it on the news or received a "recorded message" on their answering machines and others read a little blurb in the paper about it that morning. The word was getting out---John McCain and Sarah Palin would be attending a rally in Lee's Summit, Mo., on Monday morning.
The rally was going to be held in a building where I have been a vendor in many sales over the years. It is a location also used for a variety of events such as wedding receptions, meetings---our daughter's high school graduation was held there. The place is about 20 minutes from our home.
Several of my friends were interested in attending---to see the candidates and hear their messages. Most of us had never attended a rally for a presidential candidate before---plus, it was in our "back yard" and we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see first hand what happens at this kind of event.
Mary Ann and I felt we would need to be there really early if we were to have a chance of getting in the door. The place only holds 3,000 and we had heard they were expecting a large turn out. We knew the doors opened at 8:30 a.m., with the rally starting at 10:30 a.m.. After phone calls and e-mails, she and I planned on being in line at 6:30 a.m.!! Our other friends didn't feel they wanted to stand in line outside for two hours, then wait another two hours inside, so they just decided to take their chances with coming later.
When I got up at 5:15 a.m., I was greeted with a downpour and lightning and claps of thunder. On top of the stormy weather conditions, it was fairly cool.
My friends who had decided to skip the early arrival were pretty smart, I started to think. I really was doubting my sanity as I gathered a couple of jackets, rain gear, umbrella, and SNACKS, climbed in my car and headed to Lee's Summit in the rain.
As I was driving to the "meeting spot" Mary Ann and I had decided on, a sudden and sick feeling hit my stomach. I realized my camera WAS ON MY KITCHEN TABLE!!! Gads, I was already a tad behind schedule, so there was no turning back. Of all times---I couldn't believe it!
I picked up Mary Ann and we drove my car as close as we could get it to the pavilion where the rally was to be held---we actually were able to get a great parking spot and because of that, we didn't think the line would be too bad. However, when we got out of the car and started toward the building, we nearly croaked. The line of folks already waiting was stretching from the door to the entrance into the parking lot, and growing by the second.
As we made our way to the end of the line, we saw tents going up in various spots. Vendors were setting up tables and arranging tee-shirts, hats, bumper stickers and pins.
The crowd was buzzing with excitement and some vendors were working the line of attendees, hitting us up with enticing political paraphernalia. We caved and bought buttons and attached them to our shirts. It was 6:40 a.m. and we had hours to wait.
Soon, a group of young folks in front of us, started talking about another door they had heard would be open for the crowd to also enter the building. One of them checked that rumor out and found it to be true, so Mary Ann and Deborah (a lady we met while standing in line) and I followed the "smart kids" to the other door where the line was significantly shorter---thus increasing our chances of getting a closer position to the candidates once inside. It was now 6:50 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. seemed like an eternity.
While in line, Mary Ann called her husband to see if he would bring her camera over. . . . he said he would! My heart skipped a "blogger's beat" when he agreed to making the trip that was sure to be a vehicular nightmare by the time he arrived.
We talked with each other and slowly connected with those around us. Deborah hadn't brought any money and she wanted a button real bad, so I gave her the money for it. I took a couple of photos of her with her camera and then I started griping about how I had left my camera at home. She reached into her pocket and handed me a disposable Kodak camera and said I could have it! What a sweetheart---I told her my friend's husband was bringing hers over so I wouldn't need the one she just gave to me, but she said for me to keep it anyway. So I started snapping photos---it's been so long since I've used anything other than a digital, it was odd, but oh so wonderful, to be able to take pictures at this particular event. I was having "photo opportunity withdrawal" without my trusty little digital.
The above photo shows the two lines of folks waiting for the doors to open in the early morning hours. The line on the right stretched back a very long way----we were so thrilled to have found this shorter one.
Mary Ann and I were soon tempted by a tee-shirt tent which had wisely, on their part, set up right along side our growing line. We bought tee-shirts, but had to put our coats back on over them as it was still cold and damp.
The lady in the above photo had made this sign to bring into the rally, but we were later told we couldn't bring in signs, flags, umbrellas, bottles or drink cups.
I met two families who live in Independence, where I'm from. One of the families present included the mom, dad, daughter and son. The son was in his military camo outfit and had just finished boot camp. The lady pictured with me in the above photo held pictures of her son who is currently in Iraq. She was hoping to be able to actually shake Sen. McCain's hand. I believe she was told(by one of the volunteers) where to position herself so when he and Gov. Palin left the stage she would be able to accomplish that goal. I saw her later once we were inside and the crowd wasn't at "smashing" level yet--- she was in a pretty good spot. I hope she got her wish.
As the daylight broke, the crowd grew and grew. The rain stopped and only returned as light drizzle a couple of times. The temperature rose and we were able to return coats and umbrellas to the car--less to hold. We were getting pretty tired by 8:00 a.m.---thirty minutes until the doors opened.
The doors did open close to 8:30 a.m.. We were able to enter the building through the doors on the left in the above photo. We had to go through a security check similar to that in an airport. It went very smoothly.
This is the stage where the candidates would speak---I saw the risers and thought "Cool, a choral group will be singing patriotic songs!"---even elbowed Mary Ann and told her that---she thought that would be great, too! We were about 3rd to 4th row back to the right center---great spot!!
The bad part, however, was getting into the huge space and seeing that there were NO chairs---it was "standing room only!" I will note, however, that there were chairs around the perimeter of the room---for those who chose to sit during the rally, but I'm certain they couldn't have seen much. We were surprised there were no "big screens" around to watch the happenings on the stage (like you would see at a concert).
Someone had the bright idea to sit down----heck we had two more hours until the speaking started. We joined the folks on the floor and let me tell you---I have never sat down on a hardwood floor that felt so good!
Folks did all sorts of things to pass the time---listening to music, texting, talking.
Mary Ann's camera was having a hard time taking photos---this one is dark, but I wanted you to see how we were getting "squeezed" as time went by.
We observed quite a diverse age composition in the crowd.
I stood close to college kids, folks much older then me, younger adults and even a mom and her jr. high age girls that she home schooled.
We were pretty tired and looked a bit like "drowned rats" by the time this photo was taken. Our feet were hurting---our backs were hurting, but we were determined to stand (too crowded to sit by then) and wait for the action to start!
Movement was slowly starting. See the face between the arm on the left and the white hair on the right? That's Missouri Sen. Kit Bond---he was our Governor at one time, too! He was "pressing the flesh" of the folks on the railing that separated us from the stage.
Loud, peppy music was playing over the intercom and soon the risers filled up. I quickly realized those folks weren't going to sing for us. Infact, we were never told exactly who they were. We guessed they were volunteers and supporters who had earned the privilege of standing on stage behind the speakers. They were standing, but not as long as we had been!
The "special folks" also got to hold signs!!! Guess it made a good background shot for the cameras!
A bit after 10:30 a.m., the action really started.
There was a fellow who was introduced as John Hancock (appropriate!) and he appeared to be the rally "energizer". He had a huge booming voice, was very animated and worked with the crowd on practicing such chants as JOHN. . . MC. . . CAIN! JOHN. . .MC . . . CAIN! and SA. . .RUH! SA. . . RUH! You get the picture. I personally thought the crowd, prior to his cheer leading efforts, was pretty dead. We were exhausted! Anyway, that perked up the audience. Then a variety of speakers started taking turns at the mic. There were candidates for various state positions, including Governor and others who enthusiastically supported the candidates we were about to see.
We recited the Pledge and sang the National Anthem, which was led by a 16 year old girl with an amazing voice.
All in all, it was after 11:30 a.m. when Sarah Palin and John Mc Cain took the stage. We had been waiting for over five hours at that point---some folks near me had been there since 4:30 a.m. and others had spent the night there! Woo-wee---I couldn't do that.
Then the long anticiapted duo came on stage at the same time---greeting the "special folks" standing on the risers, then turning and waving to the rest of us.
It was pretty difficult taking pictures with all of the waving hands and cameras in front of us. I guess that just really shows how much was going on.
Governor Palin spoke first---her husband, Todd, made the trip, too. That's him standing on the left.
Senator McCain took his turn.
After they had delivered their speeches, they signed a few autographs for the "special folks" on the stage. You can see a "few" of the suits to your right of the screen--watching the crowd. I found the security to be very interesting to observe. I like to "people watch", but I don't think I could do that for a living---especially when it possibly meant saving someone from a person who was intent on doing harm.
It looked to me as if Sen. Mc Cain turned back around to tell Gov. Palin, "OK, it's time to go!"
They came down from the stage and started shaking hands- - - even signed a few autographs. You can see the security guys paying attention to what the crowd was doing.
I grabbed Mary Ann's camera, because I had been able to wiggle my way closer to the front. This is a terrible photo of Sen. McCain, but it was the best one I was able to get. Two seconds later a guy next to me and I thrust our hands in his direction at the same time---the Sen. got both of us with his right hand. I never thought I would be that close to them, let alone get a "sorta" handshake.
I know he was making a special effort to speak to vets, too---the silver haired fellow in front of me was holding his hat for the Senator to see.
I did get really lucky with this shot--she moved slower than the Senator---he's had lots more practice and she was signing more autographs.
I didn't reach her hand, but I thought the photos of them turned out pretty good--considering we were being jostled around quite a bit.
With the candidates moving on down the line of spectators, we decided to make our exit. We were exiting against the crowd, so it was a crazy few minutes getting to the edge of the mass of people. I felt like a cork popping out of the bottle when I finally came out of the crowd.
Whew! Air! And elbow room!
As we made our way back outside, we found some of our later arriving friends. They actually got in and felt they had a pretty good view---but they weren't in the 3rd row back like Mary Ann and I! (L to R are Mary Ann, me, Laura and Jean.)
We decided it was way past time for lunch (about 12:30 p.m.). It was faster to walk the few blocks to the restaurant than to try to maneuver my car through the mass of vehicles that were all exiting at the same time.
We met up with three others at the restaurant. Once we were seated we started jabbering away about the experience of the rally. We were all tired, but glad we had made the effort.
I later thought about the experience a great deal. It was exciting to see it all unfurl, but I think the next time I go to a rally for a presidential candidate, I just might have to be a vendor. I believe "chair rentals" to the folks who are waiting in line could be a money maker---or maybe I could sell do-nuts. Better yet, maybe I could become one of those "special folks" and stand on the risers on the stage. They get a good view and only had to stand for a little over an hour! Yep, I want to be one of those "special folks!"
* * * * * * * * * *
Not everyone in our group has decided how they will vote on November 4th. How lucky we are- - - to live in the United States of America where we all have the opportunity to get to know the candidates (as best we can) and make up our own minds who we want to vote for on election day. We have that luxury because our brave forefathers fought and died for our independence and liberties and because they created the framework for our democracy. We owe them our deepest gratitude and respect.
That same gratitude and respect must continue to be extended to our men and women who have served in the past and who are currently serving our country in the military. Our liberties and safety have been maintained because of their work and sacrifices. . . . thank you.
As we remember the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, may we also honor those 3,000 plus innocent lives that were lost during the attack on our country. God Bless them and their families. . . . . . and our precious United States of America.
DANA
