What History Have You Witnessed

[BiggusGeekus]

The 9-11 hit on the Pentagon shook the windows in my appartment. I lived a little less than a mile from the Pentagon when it hit. The streets were jammed and I had to walk several miles to the hospital to try to give blood. I was turned away because they were in full emergency mode. I got very, very drunk that night. On the flip side, two days later, I had quite a bit to talk about on the first date with a lovely woman who I would later marry!

 

[Dagger75]

I voted in Florida in the 2000 elections.

Thats about it. I don't get out much

 

[diaglo]

I voted in Florida in the 2000 elections.

Thats about it. I don't get out much

dang... Dagger75 is the hanging Chad.

 

[Zander]

I haven't witnessed any historic events but...

I've seen from a distance:
- The Queen
- President Bush, senior
- Henry Kissinger
- Leonard Nemoy (Mr Spock)
- Tom Clancy
- Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon)
- President Clinton's car (with him inside but he couldn't be seen)
- Dani Minogue (Kylie's sister)
- Sir John Gielgud (actor)
- Sir Paul Smith (fashion designer)
- Richard O'Brien (actor, The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

I've met/shook hands with:
- John Thaw (the actor who played Morse) on set
- Billy Joel
- Boris Becker
- Mike Edmonds (actor, played an Ewok in RotJ and Ug in The Time Bandits)

I've been invited to an event by but not met:
- Michael Bloomberg

I've lived a few hundred yards or less from:
- Diana, Princess of Wales (Lady Diana as she was then)
- Lord Putnam (formerly David Putnam, film director)
- Twiggy (super model)

I've had a sit-down meal in:
- The Capitol Building
- The House of Commons

I know:
- A Jewish woman who once saw Hitler from a distance. Against her will, she got caught up in a Nazi rally in Germany in the 30's. Fortunately, no one realised her ethnicity.

 

[Mercule]

I've been within about 5' of both Presidents Bush. Got to shake hands with the elder, but never got quite close enough with the younger. I was within about 10' of Dan Quayle (hey, he was VP, it's still historic).

I lived in Sioux City when flight 232 crashed. One of my friends found a bit of an engine in his field. Men in black showed up.

Like I said in the other thread, Iowa isn't real exciting -- which is part of the charm.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I have witnessed the births of two children who may one day change the world dramatically.

Other than that, I don't think I've witnessed much of anything of any importance.

 

[Brain]

I was present at the final game of Cal Ripken's consecutive game streak. He took himself out of the lineup the next day.

 

[diaglo]

I was present at the final game of Cal Ripken's consecutive game streak. He took himself out of the lineup the next day.

i was present for his first game of that streak.

 

[AIM-54]

I was in Paris in 1998 when France won the World Cup (chaos ensued).
I missed the massive earthquake in Turkey by maybe a day in 1999 (it's still considered a major event over there, I gather.)
I was at SecState Colin Powell's outlining of US foreign policy before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2002.
I was at SecDef Donald Rumsfeld's talk at the National Defense University in 2002, which later appeared as an article in Foreign Policy (one of the premiere US foreign affairs journals).
I met Lyle Odelein of the 1993 Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens.
I participated in the opening of the WWII Monument here in Washington last summer, complete with Pres. Bush. Very good event and a beautiful addition to the National Mall.
I also went to the opening game of Boston University's Agganis Arena (beautiful new sports complex) and watched my beloved Terriers beat Minnesota 2-1.

My great uncle was, apparently present with Eisenhower at the signing of the peace treaty to end WWII in Europe.

I guess that's about my closest brushes with things of importance.

 

[Krieg]

April 1974 --- Witnessed the Xenia Tornado first hand.

Sept 1989 --- Was a member of the graduating Recruit Company on Parris Island the Friday that Hurricane Hugo came ashore. We remain the only Company not to have a graduation during peacetime.

Sept 1990 - April 1991 --- Participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Fought in the battle of Khafji. Went into Kuwait at the onset of the ground war. Was with the 1st MarDiv forward CP standing next to Gen Myatt watching tanks from the Iraqi 5th Mech roll towards our pos. Was pretty darn happy when the Cobras showed up to save our bacon.

June 1991 --- Participated in humanitarian missions in the Phillipines after Mt. Pinatubo erupted.

June 1992 --- Was awoken by my wife who told me we were having an Earthquake (The Big Bear quake)...promptly fell back asleep.

Nov 1992 - Feb 1993 --- Participated in Operation Restore Hope with the 1st MarDiv in Somalia.

Summer 1993 --- Visited Sarajevo on a "fact finding mission" while working for the US Government.

Sept 2000 --- Lived through the 2nd Xenia Tornado

Sept 11, 2001 --- Was standing watch at the NSA HQ on Ft. Meade during the attack on the WTC & Pentagon. Was a member of the skeleton crew that stayed behind and kept the op center running when the building was evacuated.

Nov 2001 --- Visited Afghanistan while in the employ of the US Government

Summer 2004 --- Worked in Iraq as a civilian contractor.