“Here we are, sir.” The Secret Service agent held the door for the President. As he slid into the limo, the Secretary of State walked around to the other side, where another Secret Service agent held that door open. She got into the limo beside the President.
“All ready for the parade, Mr. President?”
He smiled. “I guess so. This is something we have to do. Just part of the job.” He sighed.
“Yes, unfortunately, it is.” She sat back and made herself comfortable.
The Presidential motorcade was assembled and ready to leave the Baltimore airport. Howard Ramsey, the agent who held the door for the President, punched a button on his cell phone. When Ed Janson answered, Ramsey informed him the President was on board and they were leaving the airport.
Ramsey waved to each of the other drivers, and they all got into their vehicles. Two motorcycle police led the way, followed by one police car with two officers. Second in line was the black limousine reserved for the mayor of Baltimore and his guest. The third limousine contained the governor of Maryland and his wife, and the fourth limousine held the President and Secretary of State. A black Chevrolet Tahoe with four Secret Service agents followed the President’s limo. Another police car with two officers came next in line, and two motorcycle police were last. Two additional motorcycle officers rode along and would be there for traffic control as the motorcade passed through various intersections.
It was a beautiful August afternoon, with the weather providing the perfect day for a parade. The city had planned the route, approved by the mayor, and had it published in the Baltimore Sun. It was also posted with three online newspapers, The Baltimore Times, The Baltimore Post, and The Baltimore News Journal. Baltimore has eight television channels broadcasting locally: WBAL, WMAR, WJZ, WBFF, WMPB, WMDE, WUTB, and WNUV. All eight stations announced the route during their news broadcasts for the last two days, and all had it posted on their websites.
The President of the United States is always on a specific time schedule. Not only are appointments and various activities identified with a start time, but also a planned duration. With such an extremely busy schedule, the President’s activities are closely monitored to ensure proper compliance with both the start and duration times.
Leaving the airport and turning the first corner, heading for the initial parade starting point, the people riding inside the vehicles put their shoulders back and sat up straight, filled with patriotic pride. It was a privilege to be part of this wonderful celebration, and they all wanted the State of Maryland and the city of Baltimore to know it. A broad smile decorated each person’s face, and a proud feeling of unity and gratefulness for being able to lead their fellow countrymen welled up inside each of them.
As the motorcade neared the parade location, the President leaned forward and spoke to the Secret Service agent sitting in the front passenger seat. “Howard, when we start the parade, I’m putting the rear windows down. I want to be seen waving back at everyone.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea, Mr. President, security-wise.”
The President nodded and said, “I understand. But the people have come out to see their President, and I want them to do that. I don’t want them to think that I don’t care about them. This is important, and we do have an election coming up in a few months. They don’t want their leader to be a snob. I want them to feel good about me. They’ll forget a lot of the troubles, if they can remember me taking time to acknowledge them and waving back. This is important. We need the windows down.”
“As you wish, Mr. President.”
“Thank you.” He sat back.
The Secretary of State leaned over and spoke softly. “You were briefed that there is a potential threat, weren’t you?”
The President looked at her and nodded. “I think it’s more potential than real. Besides,” he sat up and reached up to pat Ramsey on the shoulder, “the Secret Service is here to protect me. Nothing will happen. Right, Howard?”
“Yes, sir.”
He sat back, smiling, and looked back at Madam Secretary.
She returned his smile. “You’re right. It’s ridiculous to think there’s any real danger. No one’s going to try to shoot you ─ or anything else. Not in this day and time. We’re past all that stupid stuff.”
She sat back and folded her arms across her chest, waiting for the parade to start.
A high-pitched electrical whine could be heard as the rear windows were lowered while the limos squealed around the first corner.
“There they are,” said Madam Secretary.
The President smiled and leaned forward, putting his face next to the open window. He was totally amazed at the large number of people gathered along the street. “Look at the crowd. Is your side as busy as this?”
“Yes, we’ve drawn a pretty fair size gathering. And the parade is just starting. The crowd will get bigger as we go.”
The President smiled and put his hand out the window, waving and waving.
The motorcade was not able to slow down, due to the schedule they needed to keep. The President had to get to the convention center and into the conference on time. There would be several people waiting to meet him prior to him being formally introduced. After his special introduction, he would sit on the stage waiting for his turn to speak. He would have to keep smiling during that time, but that was not a problem. It was a pleasure for him to be there, to show he cared, and to smile for all those voters.
The shiny, highly polished black limousines reflected the bright sun into the crowd as they passed. Hurrying just enough to show urgency and keep their schedule, their speed allowed them to see and be seen, and still add a dramatic flair as the tires screeched slightly going around each curve.
It was a day that made everyone proud. People from every walk of life lined the sidewalks three deep. They all smiled and waved. Some pointed. While some people were dressed up, others wore casual clothes. Most of the shorter ones had either made their way to the front of the crowded sidewalk so they could see, or, if young enough, were sitting on their father’s shoulders.
School children were present, some wearing their school uniforms or colors. A few young families had spread blankets and sat with their small children, pointing and waving. All smiled. Several grandparents were also there—some with their families or grandchildren, others just a couple leaning on each other, happy to be there.
One man was heard to say, “Look, Gladys. The President is here, in our State, in our town. Look at that ─ he waved at us. Makes you kind o’ proud, doesn’t it?”
Then the answer. “Don’t be silly, Arthur. He’s just a man.”
“Yeah, but,” he replied, “He’s our leader. He’s the President of these here United States.” One could feel the pride in that statement, which seemed to permeate throughout the crowd.
Some cheered as they waved. Some just stood there in awe. Others just stood there.
Police stationed along the route stood on street corners, enjoying the day, hoping no one in their area dashed into the street or tried to run up to one of the limos. They watched the crowd, moving a few steps this way, then that. They smiled at the small children too young to know why they were there.
Everyone in the crowd seemed to be in such a happy mood, delighted just to share this moment with everyone else. Who knew? They might even be seen on TV, they and the President. It was such a beautiful day that no one questioned if they had voted for the right person. Political ideas and differences had been laid aside for this day and time.
Many people felt like they were at the circus. It was a good day, it was a good time. This was history. The President was there.
The tires screeched around another corner. You could almost hear a band playing patriotic music as the motorcade rolled past. Looking at all the people there, one imagined hearing the words, “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof ─ ” It was a celebration, and everyone enjoyed it.
“We better get a move on it, George,” advised Ramsey. He shook his head one time. “The President has to be there in ten minutes.”
“Okay, Howard. Here’s the last turn before the end of the parade. I’ll pick it up a bit after the turn.”
“All right,” Ramsey replied.
Finally, as the motorcade moved away from the crowd, the windows were raised and the vehicles increased their speed. It was time to get to the convention center.