SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGION TRAVELED TO NEW YORK CITY TO ATTEND THE OLD GUARDS 190TH ANNUAL BALL.
IN THE PAST THE OLD GUARD HOSTED THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CENTENNIAL LEGION YEAR AFTER YEAR. THIS YEAR (THIS PAST WEEKEND) WAS THE WORST SNOW STORM IN NEW YORK HISTORY THE MILITARY BALL WE PLANNED TO ATTEND WAS CANCELLED WE WERE THERE FRIDAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 10,000 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELLED , RAIL AND SUBWAYS CAME TO A HALT.
IT WAS BEAUTIFUL WHEN WE ARRIVED IN NEW YORK PENN STATION FRIDAY BUT THEN CAME THE BLIZZARD SATURDAY AND CONTINUED INTIL THE BLINDING SNOW REACHED 27 INCHES. THE MAYOR SHUT DOWN THE CITY AND ORDERED ALL CARS, YELLOW CABS, BUSSES AND OTHER VEHICLES OFF THE STREETS. POLICE GAVE TICKETS TO ANY ONE DRIVING ON THE STREETS. THE CITY CAME TO A HALT, TRAFFIC DISAPPEARED, AND THE CITY WS LIKE A GHOST TOWN.
SATURDAY NIGHT WE TOOK A WALK IN THE CITY.. IT WAS SO QUIET YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP. WE WALKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF FIFTH AVENUE AND PARK AVENUE, YOU COULD ACTUALLY WHISPER TO EACH OTHER MOST STORES CLOSED BUT SOME RESTAURANTS AND DELIS WERE OPEN.
EVERY ONE WE TALKED TO WERE IN GREAT SPIRITS . THE CITY WENT TO SLEEP. I AM SURE THIS WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE WE WILL NEVER FORGET PROBABLY WILL NEVER SEE AGAIN. WE STAYED AT THE EAST SIDE MARRIOT HOTEL ONE BLOCK FROM ROCKEFELLER CENTER.
SECOND CO FOOT GUARD HAD NINE COMING AND DIDN'T MAKE IT COMMANDER RON BARNES & CHIEF OF STAFF CPT DAN MAY DIDN'T MAKE IT. FIVE FROM OLD GUARD OF THE GATE CITY GUARD , ATLANTA ,GA MADE IT AND WE GOT TOGETHER FOR DINNER . 3RD VICE COMMANDER BART HYTE MADE IT WITH HIS WIFE ALYSON HAVING TO DEAL WITH HIS CANCELLED FLIGHT HOME. HOWEVER IT WAS AN AMAZING AND HISTORIC TIME.