I was in DC back when the Obama shutdown happened. It was the second one during his term, in October 2013.

I attended a rally at the Mall in front of the Capitol Building. The shutdown had been going on for a few days. Garbage collection wasn’t happening, therefore the grounds were strewn with trash.

I joined a large bunch of others and we started to walk along picking up litter. Someone had anticipated what would happen when a bunch of patriots saw the condition of the grounds and had boxes of trash bags at the ready.

We went along filling our bags. The crowd had thinned down by the time we reached the Washington Monument. Me and maybe a couple dozen others continued on The World War 2 Memorial.

Just as we arrived there several buses pulled up with Honor Flight people on it. It was closed, barricades blocking the way. Several of us just went over and started dragging the barricades out of the way. The busses passed and took them right on in.

I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like, not allowing them to go in. I stood around and took in and shared the emotions of all those old fellows. It was truly a once in a lifetime moment for me.

Now, tonight I’m reflecting back on the insurrection of January 6. Thinking about what happened then, could have sent me and the others to prison.