The View from Gallery 3, Row B, Seat 1

Although you likely didn’t see me, I had the honor of attending the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night as one of several guests invited by House Speaker John Boehner.  It was exciting to be there and to have the opportunity to witness this piece of history unfold before my eyes. After attending the Speaker’s reception and meeting his guests, like Ted Kremer, former batboy for the Cincinnati Reds, two adorable fourth graders from a local school in Washington, and a Cardinal from the Archdiocese of Washington, I was ushered into Gallery 3 and took my seat in Row B, Seat 1.  It was a packed house, and every seat in the Gallery was taken; some people were actually assigned to sit in the aisle on the cement steps. When you’re looking at the president on television, Gallery B is above the main floor where the members of Congress sit and directly across from the First Lady’s box.  While it may not look it, the Gallery is far from the main floor—my guess is about three stories. I sat in the same section with the wives of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Sylvia Panetta, wife of Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, shared with me that she was a nurse and volunteered with the Red Cross when she was younger.  She thanked me for all that we do, and I thanked her right back for her and her husband’s service.  Since my own husband and dad served in the military and my stepson is in the Air Force, I felt extraordinarily proud to sit with these women whose lives have been d...
Source: Red Cross Chat - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Leadership Source Type: news