Live at the US Open - Congressional - Wednesday June 22, 2011

The 2011 US Open is in the books and we look forward to next year at The Olympic Golf Club in San Francisco. But, before we go there, a few final thoughts on Congressional.

As always, it was an amazing, marvelous experience. Jeff and I are so very lucky to go to the Open each year. That we have been honored to walk with the tournament leaders the past two years is something about which one only dreams. Sometimes I do not think the two of us realize how crazy it is that we can do this. We get so involved with working the day and making sure we are where we are supposed to be when we are supposed to be there that where we are and what we are doing is forgotten. That was a sentence, was it not?

There are no superlatives left to any writer – professionals and amateurs alike – that have not been written. Rory. It was a performance for the ages. I think that we who have a passion for golf as well as casual observers know we witnessed something very special. I watched as my idol, Arnold Palmer, was replaced by Jack Nicklaus. Tom Watson followed. Then there was the explosion named Tiger Woods. Is the next icon Rory McIlroy? The weekend makes one think it could be so. His performance in the past four majors (less Augusta’s Sunday back 9) makes one sure it will be so. Perhaps the meltdown at Augusta is the learning experience that will lead Rory McIlroy to an unknown number of major championships. It will be a lot of fun to see what unfolds in the next decade. You know me, my fondest wish would be that Tiger gets back to at least 95% so we all could witness a few head to heads between Tiger and Rory. Could be scary good.

A couple of things…not being a professional writer I guess things that I know I assume you do and you do not. This was pointed out to me. Example…I wrote about all the water I was drinking…where did I get it? Obviously I did not carry about two gallons of water. The answer is that all the tee boxes have huge coolers of water for players, caddies, etc. I think the hole marshals partake as well. We needed a lot of water and we were given the okay to drink as much as we needed by none other than the chief of security for the PGA who is lent to the USGA for the Open. Last year Joe was Tiger’s second skin and about that far away.

I guess that when I talked about what we are doing I have not been clear that Jeff and I work together each day as a team. For example, when it is time to go forward, I take one side of the fairway and Jeff takes the other. If help is required we run across the fairway which by the way you would be happy to have as carpet on your living room floor. Sometimes one goes forward and one stays back to make sure the walkways from green to tee are opened properly. But, we are always on the same hole doing the same job.

A couple of off the wall things…I am lucky that I do not have to visit Laundromats unless I have to wash large comforters. You can imagine that two shirts do not make the four days, especially in that heat so a trip to the Laundromat was required on Friday afternoon. We looked for one on iPhone maps and there we were. It was like going to little Disneyland. I have never seen anything quite like it. A young man came to the car with a basket to help, the owner helped us figure out how to buy our washes and dries by the size of the washer and put it on a card to use in the machine. Whatever happened to quarters? They had TVs all over, there was a small snack bar, you could buy detergent of multiple kinds and not in little boxes and there was one of those machines you put dollars undoubtedly into that has the hook and kids can get a toy. Who knew there were such places? I was amazed.

Then there was parking. It is almost impossible to get near a US Open site unless you are in a designated shuttle. Forget parking. Bethesda on the way to Congressional is all narrow two-lane roads with huge homes and estates. We were astounded to see that many of these homeowners chose to let patrons park on their lawns – for a price. We saw prices from $40 to $70 per day. Some of these places could easily park 100 cars. Do the math. Hey, it helped pay the mortgage this month. Again, I was amazed.

So my fifth Open is in the books, the laundry is done and I am already looking forward to next year. I doubt that June at water’s edge in San Francisco – Olympic Golf Club – will be quite as warm. It likely will be a replay of last year when we nearly froze to death at Pebble Beach a couple of days. Doesn’t matter. It will be a thrill to be there and watch the action unfold and really hope we get the same assignment. We probably all hope for an Open that has a winning score that is much closer to par, a course with teeth that can bite and punish the errant shots, that both Tiger and Phil are back and healthy, that the American young guns start making the noise they are supposed to and that Rory and his fellow N Irelander, Graeme McDowell are back and the two Open Champions play the first two rounds together.

My special thanks to Jeff for coming with me once again and indulging my passion. He took all the great photos and it is such a joy to share this adventure together.

Thank you all so very much for going along for the ride…I appreciate it more than you know.

Keep them in the fairway…till next year.

Live at the US Open - Congressisonal - Sunday June 19, 2011

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!

Wishing all the fathers a very Happy Father’s Day…sending lots of love to Jeff and my sons David and Morgan. I know little d and Royal made your days very special.

The 2011 US Open at Congressional is over and in the books. The keeper of the Open record books will be a busy person this week. I am not sure how many records Rory McIlroy broke but that in itself might be a record.

Many, many congratulations to Rory McIlroy! What a performance turned in by this young man. The golf world will be talking about and revering his achievement for years to come. I’m pretty certain that he and his proud father put down those few pints last evening that Rory mentioned in his acceptance speech.

What do you suppose the odds were that two men from Northern Ireland would win back to back US Opens with their fathers present on Father’s Day?

You will recall that I commented how quiet things have been, not much electricity in the air, spectators there but seemingly invisible. Well, that all changed yesterday as the 2011 Open finally got underway. The place was packed. Every hole was lined with fans that were 10, 15, 20 feet deep at tees and greens. The heavy, humid air had that electric feel of anticipation. Perhaps part was the anticipation of the changing of the guard. Even though everyone knew the end of the story they could not wait to see the final chapter written.

As for the round, it was more of the same. A drive way down to the middle of the fairway, then a wedge to the green - pin high 6 to 15 feet from the hole – four birdies, two bogies. Yawn! (kidding!) And then there was #10 – what? Six inches from a hole-in-one? Though we were standing right by the green the hole was in a swale and we could not see it. The crowd went so nuts that we had to ask if it went in. An ace was the only thing missing in Rory’s week.

Lost in the week’s story was the amazing play of Y.E. Yang. Poor man would make a birdie and then Rory would counter a hole later…no way could he cut into the lead for long. The week, the pressure, the crowds, the weather – pretty much everything may have finally gotten to Y.E. in the last four or five holes as he unfortunately lost the second place he maintained all week. He never changed his demeanor – never saw him smile or get mad. It must have been very difficult to keep his game on track with all the yelling and carrying on for Rory. In 18 holes I heard fans call Y.E.’s initials twice. Made me a little sad for him.

(Speaking of Y.E. – did you see me on TV on 18 when he second shot went into the crowd?)

Also lost was Jason Day. I believe this young man, like Rory, is one of the best of the “young guns” all the talking heads prattle on about. Do you know he did not have a bogie in the final two rounds? Do you know that he beat Rory’s weekend rounds? 68, 65 to 68, 69? This was also a stellar performance under pressure. I hope that Johnny Miller and cohorts recognized Jason and his accomplishment.

We were with Rory for three straight days and through it all he was focused, polite and quite likely grew up before our eyes. It was interesting to watch the final holes and not just the golf. The closer we got to 18 the larger the contingent that surrounded him. Going from 17 green to 18 tee there were no less than six unformed officers, doubtless a few plain clothes security and/or FBI like last year and USGA higher ups. That in addition to the caddy, scorer, rules guys, media (oh my, the media!) and of course, us!

Because we walk inside the ropes (I never lose sight of just how lucky we are) the fans outside the ropes tend to stare. All the other marshals are stationary. They (and some of the hole marshals as well) doubtless wonder who we are and what we are doing and how in the hell did we get so lucky to do this? But as I walk by, I realize just a little of what it must be like to be a celebrity and having every move you make watched by heaven only knows how many people. It is heady and not a little scary to think what could happen in that crowd.

The scene at the 18th was breathtaking as you undoubtedly saw. Even though the lake is behind the green there is amphitheatre-type seating there along with the stands on both 18 and 10. It is truly a great finishing hole for golf and the fans. They pushed 18 tee back to DC yesterday and approach shots rarely made the green. Par was outstanding on 18 yesterday. Great job by the USGA on that one.

I was happy that Rory played 18 well, nice par and a lovely celebration. Like Graeme McDowell last year and others before, he could not wait to be in the arms of his father. So many of the pros, like Davis Love III and Tiger Woods, learned the game from their fathers. Others like Rory had fathers who held down two jobs in order to make their sons’ dreams come true. Either way, having Sunday at the US Open fall on Father’s Day seems fitting and right.

Again, Happy Father’s Day to all. Thank you for following me and my usual wrap up will probably post Wednesday. It will be good to get home once again.

ps more pics on the final post

Live at the US Open - Congressional - Saturday June 18, 2011

Saturday randomness…

Pray the golf gods are kind tomorrow…the smack upside the head to Rory at the Masters was enough.

An 8 shot lead is way different than 4.

Tiger is not here to scare him early like at the Masters.

Phil isn’t here either – well not the Phil golf fans know and love anyway. Is the combination of age and psoriatic arthritis taking its toll?

Where were the roars?

All four current major title holders made the cut – the closet is 14 – that’s right FOURTEEN strokes behind McIlroy.

World #1 Luke Donald – 21 back. World #2 Lee Westwood – 9 back. World #3 Martin Kaymer – 17 back.
Wow!

Two years ago at Bethpage we heard those crazy New Yorkers chanting “Let’s go Phil!” all over the place. Today we heard a changing of the guard with “Let’s go Rory!” time and again. (somehow “crazy Marylanders or DC-ers just don’t sound right  )

Many are ready to crown a new king…I am thinking there might finally be a worthy heir to the throne. But know this…Rory has won exactly two professional tournaments! One PGA at Quail Hollow and one European at Dubai. Let’ really talk about this in another 10 to 15 wins. Another major or two?

Saturday is moving day and a few players actually made moves – Lee Westwood and Jason Day to be exact – but most likely it is too little, too late. Had they done this Friday it might have been a different story.

It was hot and humid and I think I drank a gallon of water. Congressional is a tough walk on the fairways because it is very hilly. It is really tough where we walk at the ropes because most of the fairway rough slope up gradually and then way up at pretty good angles. Add to this they are mounded if that is a word. Think of walking up and down a camel’s back or Dolly Parton’s anatomy leaning at a 30 degree angle.

There is a definite lack of excitement this year – many reasons for this no doubt. But one may be that the USGA has set up the course to protect its precious rough to the point where the spectators are so far removed from play it is ridiculous. If you are not in a grandstand your chances of seeing much around a green are slim. And if you are close chances are the green is raised and there are more of those mounds (smaller of course) so you cannot see the cup. When the crowd is 15 or 20 deep and every eyeball can see the action it is awesome. This was not the case today.

When we got to 18 I expected to see an enormous crowd. Not there. Don’t know where they went. If you watch you know that 18 is backed by a pond so there is obviously no crowd there. But there is great viewing not only from the 18th hole stands but #10 is right next to it and there are huge grass areas for sitting to see both greens. It’s pretty cool – I imagine TV showed this. But my friend Rick wrote to say how empty it looked. Felt that way too.

We have been with Rory for two days and he is at this moment a machine. He is in the zone. With few exceptions every drive, every approach, every putt is close to perfect. The young man is putting on quite a show, a clinic even by Tiger’s standards. He deserves to win. No one else is even close. I wish him the very best tomorrow.

A few thoughts on the course and the USGA...

The USGA has to be apoplectic. This is NOT supposed to happened at the US Open - 14 under? In three days? I feel sorry for the field next year at Olympic - the fairways will be 3 yards wide, the rough will be 18" long and the greens will be resurfaced with granite. Jeff chatted with the USGA official who set up the course today and he said the greens which are less than 2 years old are too young. They roll well but they are just too soft. They will not hold anything and with the rain they have had each day they hold everything. I'm surpised. Did the USGA know the greens needed to be redone when they awarded the tournament to Congressional? If so, what were they thinking? If not, why not? That said, Rory's performance is still stellar.

In closing tonight you have to be here or maybe you can feel it too that the golf world is a bit off kilter at the moment. We who love the sport have been spoiled for years by Tiger and Phil and though time always marches on we want the excitement to continue. Happy are we to add Rory and those lovable Europeans to the mix. Love him or hate him, golf needs him back.

The USGA’s & PGA’s new prayer…

Now I lay me down to rest
Please golf gods bring back the best
We miss the roars
We’re on our knees
Tiger get well, oh please oh please!

Live at the US Open - Congressional - Friday June 17, 2011

Tiger who?

What was that Mickelson guy’s first name again?

There is a new king of golf…all hail the king!

Let’s all take a deep breath and remember that it is after all – the end of the second day of the US Open. If Mr. McIlroy plays the next two days as he played the first two, then a coronation is in order.

The crowd was out in full force as is always the case when Phil plays and his fans are rabid. There were many, many Rory fans as well. Poor Dustin Johnson might as well have been playing another course. His play was uninspired and obvious he couldn’t wait to get out of there.

Phil played well but Rory played better. Poor Phil…every time he made a move Rory countered it. At one time he was 4 under for the day and had lost 2 strokes to Rory. It was amazing. Rory’s eagle on 8 made me think of Tiger – a little luck goes a long way.

By the time they made the turn the crowd had swelled tremendously. The 10th has a huge grandstand and stadium hillside seating plus the 18th hole grandstands can see the 10th green. It is an amazing site to see and by Sunday, there won’t be a blade of grass visible that isn’t part of play.

Sometimes stellar golf gets tedious – great drive, great approach, birdie! Yeah, yeah, yeah. But then came 18. Now there was some fun and this is where we folks on the advance team come into play. It might not have been easy to see on TV but both balls went left into the trees and were probably 20 feet from each other.

Of course Phil’s was deeper into the trees. It was time for Phil the Thrill to come to life. And this is when spectators get annoyed – at us marshals. By the time Phil could hit that ball through the trees we had to move the fans fan away from the fairway by 15’ at least. At first I thought he would hit through this rather large opening he had. What was I thinking? He finally decided to go between these two trees that were no more than 5 feet apart. I was kneeling down looking back at him and prayed he hit it right or it could have been in my face! The shot sounded perfect, looked perfect but the golf gods were standing right there on the green and blew the ball to the left just enough to find the water. Hate when great shots are rewarded in this manner. The golf gods giveth - think 2010 Masters - and the golf gods taketh away. What a bummer.

Now what was really surprising was Rory’s shot…his was much easier, he was much closer to the fairway, he saw what happened to Phil’s ball and perhaps he got a bit greedy. He could have put it in the middle of the green pretty easily but he was going for the flag. Of course, why not? His other 17 approaches were perfect and so this would be as well.

Not so fast little prince…remember those golf gods hanging out on the green? They were still there and decided a small spanking was in order. Or maybe his ball had pretty much had it on a very warm day of being blistered constantly and decided to take a swim. Either way it was an unfortunate double that ended one of the most amazing US Open rounds ever. How lucky were we to be there to witness it? Very.

Next best thing? We get to sleep in! We will likely be with Rory again or with one of the later groups. Not sure. Doesn’t matter because it is Moving Day. Maybe reality will find Rory. Maybe someone will go low and apply some pressure. Whatever happens it will be our thrill to be a part of it. It will be very hot, very humid and likely will include rain in the late afternoon.

The rain that arrives each afternoon has softened the greens of course. And made the course play long, naturally. Only one man has not noticed the play long part.

Can’t wait!

One very important last item – Happy Very Big Birthday to my sister Pam! You are beautiful, amazing and I love you.

I know the date says Saturday but this is Friday's post...didn't get it up until Saturday a.m.

Live at the US Open - Congressional - Thursday June 16, 2011

The 2011 US Open has begun and I must take a moment to lament the absence of Tiger Woods. Love him or hate him he brings an excitement to a tournament, the majors in particular that cannot be matched even by Phil Mickelson. The electricity that surrounds him whether he is shooting 65 or 78 is missing this year. I believe his fellow pros, if honest, wish he were here. The only people not missing him are the logistics and security folks. It is one less giant headache for them to deal with. The USGA and the PGA are counting the minutes until he returns. Golf needs him. He needs golf. End of story.

So on to Day 1…once again the golf gods shine upon us and we do not have to spent 6 hours doing something beyond boring – and of course below our expectations  We spent the day making sure Bubba Watson, Adam Scott and Robert Karlsson did not get run over by overly aggressive fans. As last year, we were the advance team with two other marshals. Our basic responsibility was to make sure they could get from green to tee without having to stop or be harassed in any way. Sometimes they did not have to negotiate a fan area but most times they did. Today wasn’t too bad for our group. Mostly because all of Phil’s fans and probably 80% of Tiger’s were waiting for Phil to tee off. Unfortunately, they were pretty much disappointed unless they switched allegiance to Rory.

While working our threesome we leap-frogged our counterparts so we were able to watch Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer half the time. These three have been #1 in the world the better part of this year. Not one of them lived up to that ranking today. Not by a long shot. They were not happy campers.

Tomorrow we will be out at 7:55 with Phil, Rory and Dustin. Not bad duty once again. Okay, we are really excited to be in our position. We apparently are the only returning marshal advance team from last year so we are the “experienced team.” (No applause necessary thank you). How cool to be with Rory and his group…and how funny is it to say that? At the moment anyway the leader of the pack is Rory and not Phil. The times they are a-changing.

The leader board is pretty interesting – three of the four current major winners are in the top 10. Davis Love III is up there as is Stewart Cink. Anything can happen and probably will. The weather could play a part – it rained a bit this morning and hard late afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms predicted all weekend but hopefully they will be in the evening when all is said and done and I am off the golf course. Not big on thunderstorms and being on a golf course at the same time.

Pretty tired this evening and it will be an early morning and a long day tomorrow so that is all for now…hope everyone has a chance to watch some of the excitement this weekend. You never know – you just might see my smiling face .

And one final thought - Happy Birthday to Phil!

Live at the US Open - Congressional - Wednesday June 15, 2011

Hi Kids – first of all many thanks to those of you who have emailed back to tell me how much you are enjoying my crazy thoughts and comments. As I have said before, I am truly blessed to be able to experience this event – this is the fifth one if you can believe it. I am thrilled to be able to share it with you.

This may be a short blog – we have the 7 a.m. shift in the morning which means up and out before 6 to catch the shuttle bus. Did I just say I am blessed? Did I tell you we are 7 a.m. through Sunday? I am rethinking the blessed part right now.

I had a blast today…it was a gorgeous day in the mid 80s, not a cloud in the sky and no humidity. Could not have been nicer. Let us not discuss tomorrow’s weather which you will see for yourself if you watch. Not looking too stellar at the moment.

American Express which is a major sponsor does a killer job…the free radios that keep you up to date with what is going on around the course…the free TVs so you can watch what is going on around the course (if you do not return these, they are NOT free any longer) … free swing analysis and free 10 minute lesson. So I did the lesson which they film, tell you what you need to change and how you compare to the pros, etc. (did I really say “film?”) They will send me a website I can log into where another pro will tell me what I should be doing, drills to practice and things like that. It will be online for one year and I can email the pro at any time. How cool is that? This is why we pay the big bucks to own an Amex card just so you know.

I don’t know if you know anything about Miguel-Angel Jimenez but he has to be the coolest guy out there. He’s well into his 40s and looks way older, has a bit of a gut, smokes cigars all day and night for sure, drives a Ferrari and drinks wine. He is just so nice to everyone – I love the guy. They sell these white rubber balls that look like golf balls – about 8” in diameter – and kids get them signed and or play with them. So this kid in front of me asks him to sign his ball and Miguel takes it and throws it up in the air and does a bunch of soccer kicks with it. Kicks it right back to the kid who I think was so surprised he didn’t even try to catch it…it was nice to see a pro having fun with the crowd and not acting like this practice day was life and/or death.

Speaking of kids, there were tons of them the past two days. From babes in strollers on up…often on the tee boxes a pro or marshal will pick a youngster out of the crowd to come out on the tee to get an autograph and use the paddles. The kids are so thrilled…and of course their parents get apoplexy they are so excited. It is a hoot!

Since I started this journey four years ago I make it a point to buy a flag from each site that is a replica of the pin flags. I decided I would try to get the winner from that year to sign my flag. I have failed – until now. I digress to say that I cannot find my Bethpage flag which makes me absolutely nuts especially considering the events yesterday.

We followed Angel Cabrera because I so wanted him to sign my Oakmont flag. Finally got the opportunity and he glanced sideways and kept walking…aaarrrgggh! But! A couple of holes later I finally was in the right place at the right time…I told him I tried for three years to get him to sign the flag and he said “really?” And he signed it very neatly and you can read his name. The icing on the cake is a few holes later Graeme McDowell signed my Pebble flag. Wow! Two for two. Worse part? I could have gotten Lucas Glover 10 times but didn’t have a flag. Oh well…BTW, my Torrey Pines flag stayed home and is hoping and praying to see the light of day at Olympic next year. An autograph on that one would be one in a million. There is always hope.

That’s it for today – tons of pictures to share. This was the last day to bring cameras but I will put up the best from here on out. Night all…

Live at the US Open - Congressional - Tuesday June 14, 2011

It was so quiet.

Was it the mass of trees that stifled the noise – such as it was?

Was it because it was Tuesday?

Was it because the Tiger roar is silenced? At least for now…

It was strange early on. It was eerily silent and felt empty. Something missing? No excitement was evident. Is it the calm before the storm of the weekend? Or is the game reinventing itself once again? Maybe a little early to say “Post-Tiger and Post-Phil” – but maybe not.

As the day wore on things seem to come to life…more and more people arrived…some pairings brought a buzz – Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell and a back nine missing Rory McIlroy – Jim Furyk with the Cowboys Rickie Fowler and (a) Peter Uihlein – Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink. That’s what we’re talking about! Saw everyone’s favorite tweetmeister, Ian Poulter, on the practice green – talking on his cell phone. Not sure he ever putted! Some things are more important than others.

A free day for us to wander the course, take pictures and drink up the atmosphere. Congressional is nestled in a residential area that could rightly be called wealthy. Huge, beautiful homes mostly with multiple acres. I’m guessing more than one of our stellar congressmen/women and senators reside here. There are two courses here – one of which is now less a golf course than a maintenance facility. Guess it is worth the zillions of dollars the USGA pays to stage an Open. Like they need the money…the new clubhouse is 70,000 – yes seven zero thousand! – square feet. I’m thinking the last Open went a long way to paying for this gorgeous structure. If only we peons could get a peek inside. Not!

The course – well the back 9 which is all we saw today – is quite lovely and long even with only one par 5. 579 yards of par 5. (and #9 is 636 yards) Be sure to check out #10 which is downhill par 3 over water. Until 2006 it was 18 only reversed so it was an uphill par 3 to the edge of what was doubtless the old clubhouse. Kind of crazy – I need to find out how the holes actually were five years ago.

Tomorrow we spend on the front 9 which appears to be half the size of the back 9. The holes are compact – back and forth. Many of the fairways (not just the front) were narrowed from an average of 33 yards to 25. Much narrower than when Congressional hosted the last Open in ’97. I mean 25 yards! Most of my putts are almost 25 yards – know what I mean?

That’s the scoop for the day…really an interesting one. And if you are wondering, there are no new pictures tonight because the adapter is missing in action so I cannot download them. Should be lots of photos tomorrow. Thanks, as always, for tuning in.

Live in Washington, DC - Sunday June 12, 2011

It is the US Open at Congressional Country Club…guess this is the place where the US part really comes into play. Thus the pictorial of our visit to our nation’s capital yesterday. It was hot and terribly humid and we walked until we dropped – into the bar on the top of the W!

It was a very long walk from Embassy Row to the Lincoln Memorial, the Viet Nam memorial wall, down the Mall to the Air and Space Museum but well worth every step. It is impossible to see even a small fraction of DC in a week much less a single day. But this long walk gives one a sense of the history that is our country.

The Lincoln Memorial never ceases to amaze…it is larger than life as was he. We were somewhat disappointed when we saw our tax dollars at work in the reconstruction of the Mall’s reflecting pool. Instead of the reflection of the Washington Monument we saw a very large rectangular dig. I am certain it needed to be done but they could have waited until after we visited. Really!

It has always been my opinion that one must be thoroughly crazy to want to be President of the US of A and nothing yesterday changed my mind. As we gazed upon the White House from the W and watched Secret Service men wander around the roof looking – waiting – for something to happen it reinforced my opinion. Can you imagine living with armed, trained killers walking the over your head – not to mention everywhere else? I cannot. The bartender told us that the Secret Service shows up usually once a day to check out some tourist with a camera to question if and why he or she is photographing the top of the White House. Pretty crazy but in our world today it must be so.

Not having been in DC since Y2K at least it was my first opportunity to see the WW II Memorial. It is beautiful and definitely does justice to the ‘greatest generation” to which my father belonged. Its huge fountain is a lovely place to sit and reflect upon the men and women who sacrificed so that many live free from tyranny.

What struck me the most as I sat at the WW II Memorial is the difference between it and the Viet Nam Memorial. The WW II site is light and celebratory and a place to remember its history and men and women with pride. The Viet Nam Memorial is a dark, very long slab of black granite, built into the ground like we are trying to hide it and the names of those who died. Regardless of one’s attitude about Viet Nam itself, those who made the ultimate sacrifice deserve our thanks and deepest respect. I hope we think long and hard when we memorialize those whose impossible task it is to fight and serve today.

Our nation’s capital – an amazing, beautiful, sobering.

On a lighter note – we are ready to begin our annual US Open journey tomorrow. We do not work until Thursday so there are two days to wander, take pictures and observe those whose task and goal this week is to become the United States Open Champion. I wonder if the eventual winner will find it especially sweet to win here at Congressional.