Page 14 - Police World Edition 2 2013

14
Article
Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013
Making a lasting
impression
I n 2011, when we decided to go
on a 5 day trip to Washington
DC, USA, we booked the
accommodation but thought if anyone
from the IPA could show us around for a
day it would be very helpful. We really
wanted to see the White House - like
many visitors.
Jo Conway at the Section UK Admin
Centre (BSAC) in Nottingham put us in
touch with Bud Lathrop from the USA. He
immediately sent an email stating he
would pass the request on to the
Washington branch.
Judy Duff, the Secretary of the
Washington branch, contacted us on our
arrival at Dulles Airport. She then kindly
took us to our hotel.
For those who have not seen
Washington DC it is a beautiful city with
a number of free to enter Smithsonian
Museums (19 in all from memory)
including the Smithsonian Museum of
Air and Space which we visited.
Following our daily breakfast at the
Grand Union Station just twenty minutes
from the hotel we were contacted by
Alan Orquiza from the US Capitol Police
attached to the Senate Division. He only
joined the IPA in 2009 and has already
made many friends. It appears that in
Washington State there are some 80 –
100 ‘Police Forces’, including the
Schools Police. Alan took us around to
many places including the Pentagon
Memorial.
A trip around and under the Senate
Building was a fantastic experience. We
were jokingly asked if we had any
matches on us before they allowed us to
enter as British troops had set fire to
their city in 1814.
The Arlington Cemetery and the Ford
Theatre, where President Abraham
Lincoln was shot, were just two of the
many sights we saw during the trip.
We were not expecting to see Alan again
but at lunch time on the last day he
contacted us and took us to the airport
via the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space
Museum near to Dulles Airport. Here he
admitted his passion for planes.
Our experience was so memorable we
left Alan with an invitation back to the
UK.
So in January, 2013, Alan took us up on
our offer and we hosted him and his
mother. We took them to
Nottinghamshire’s most popular places
of interest. Apart from the visit to the
Major Oak of Robin Hood fame, his visit
to BSAC in Nottingham will long remain
in his memory. “Wow what a pleasure
to be shown around,” said Alan.
On the day, Alan was happy to oblige,
when he was asked, and helped hang a
commemorative plaque in the museum
which marked the 50th Anniversary of
the founding of Section USA in 2012.
Alan and him mum left with the feeling
that the IPA is not just any organisation,
it is very special, I think that his branch
may well be
increasing their
membership when
he gets back -
such will his
feedback be.
From the point of
view of Jen and
myself, this
experience is
what we joined
for. The old adage
of ‘Getting out of
it what you put
in.’ Roll on the 55th Anniversary
Nottinghamshire Festival - where we
will be hosting.
Our thanks to Judy and Alan for making
our stay so enjoyable in IPA Region 62
and everyone involved in assisting us.
Stephen Garner,
Nottinghamshire branch
Want to find out more
about travel forms? Visit:
www.ipa-uk.org/Useful-
Documents and select
Travel Form.
Stephen Garner, from Nottinghamshire branch, discovers the joy of returning US hospitality and shares his
experience in the article below.
Above and below: Visiting the
Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum
Left: Stephen and Alan at BSAC