Police World Edition 2 2013

Article

Making a lasting impression Stephen Garner, from Nottinghamshire branch, discovers the joy of returning US hospitality and shares his experience in the article below.

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

Above and below: Visiting the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum Left: Stephen and Alan at BSAC

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.

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Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013