From the CEO
Bonnie Brae Knights Inaugural Parade Report
Photo by Cathy Phillips
In my many many years of working with children in residential programs I have NEVER been as proud as I am of our Bonnie Brae Knights ! On an unforgettable day of watching as history was being made before our eyes the Knights overcame challenge after challenge to perform superbly before the new President and a worldwide audience. Personal highlights in no particular order of significance were:
- Receiving, at long last, a friendly wave and smile from the new President and First Lady . Watching in awe as the new President pointed out our band to the new Vice President and saying something like " there's the group ...". At this point we were 30 feet from the President!
- After a 75 minute wait in below freezing temps, with the wind making it feel even colder, the Knights bravely returned to Constitution Avenue from a brief life saving break inside the Smithsonian Museum, and completed the parade. Other larger better known school bands broke ranks, began crying, sought medical help, and in some extreme cases retreated back to their buses. Our guys were simply determined and courageous!
- Watching the Knights finally grasp the significance of the event as our charter bus passed the Washington Monument . A crowd of a million plus people cheered wildly, clapped, took our photograph, and completely surrounded our bus. All of us on the bus were simply emotionally over-whelmed by the size of the crowd and their response to our drummers!
- During the parade, as the crowd swiftly dwindled to the hardiest of souls, there were always a few people on each block who cheered and clapped for the Knights. Our guys responded with their best performance to date.
Sincerely,
William M. Powers, MHA, MPA
Chief Executive Officer