We went to Washington DC a few weeks ago because Devin and his air crew received the CAPT Frank A Erickson -Pterodactyl Association Search and rescue award for the entire Coast Guard. They received this award for a Bering Sea rescue during a blizzard where they almost lost the rescue swimmer. I still don't like to hear about it because I usually try to ingnore that fact that D's job can be a bit dangerous.
Here is the Washington monument at night. We went on an illumination tour of DC.
The Lincoln Memorial.....
Our new house....I wish but as you all know this is the White House.

Of course we ventured through a few air museums and here is a full size space shuttle- the Enterprise.
The Smithsonian museums were also a lot of fun....
......Devin's gift to me.....NOT. I don't think he could afford the Hope diamond on his CG salary.

The famous Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial.
The changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington national cemetery....very impressive...
The Capital we even did a 2hr tour of it.....

Admiral Thad Allen handed the awards to all of the guys, very nice man we got to talk to him at the awardee reception prior to the dinner. I even cried because all of the dinner guests -around 400 or so stood up and gave them a standing ovation.

Here we are with the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.....she was also very nice.
The guys from Eurocopter including the director sat at our table with us what a fun bunch of people. Now I know who's in charge of producing the helos Devin gets to fly.....
Mr. Sergei Sikorsky was also in attendance....and better yet he speaks german and we had a very pleasant conversation about his time in Germany.

We had an awesome time and were able to meet a lot of retired and active duty Coasties. We also were able to see a few of our friends while in DC.