Good Morning...Mr. President

Let me start off by saying that this is going to be a strange post...

As a son, I continue to be in awe of my father more times than not. His limits exceed mine at almost every turn. His drive, tenacity, friendships, personal bonds, and judgement are well beyond mine on almost every level. Of most continuing interest to me is the ability to live vicariously through his eyes. His life experiences continue to amaze and place me, humbly, at his feet, forever seeking his continued approval.

The above now being said, I must try, mightily, to relate my father (and mother's) experience from this past weekend. Its a life experience, of life experiences.

Over the past decade or more, my father has developed a friendship with a gentleman by the name of Judge Sam Sterrett. They met through a mutual association in northern NY with their relationship growing progressively fonder. Judge Sterrett is former chief judge in the US Tax Court and continued advisor to the US Supreme Court on tax cases. He's retired from the Chief Judge position since 1991, but continued 'as counsel' to the Tax Court and the US Supreme Court since that time. He's also personal friends with former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor - US Supreme Court.

A month or so ago, Judge Sterrett called my father Joe and asked if he would be the Judge's guest for an upcoming weekend of events in Washington DC. Specifically, the events surrounding the Alphalpha Club Dinner.

As a primer, the Alphalpha Club is about the most exclusive 'open' club anyone could belong to within Washington DC. You must be elected to be a member, there are only 200 members of the 'club', the sole purpose of the club is to have one dinner gathering a year. The club's members include past President's of the US, Secretaries of State, government movers and shakers, as well as community leaders and extremely large corporate heads. The dinner roster each year includes the member base and each member is allowed to invite two (2) guests. This years dinner involved approximately 695 persons. Typically, around the dinner itself, the group of dignitaries roasts each other. This years guest of honor was President George W. Bush, with guest speaker Michael Bloomberg.

This event is held at a very large Washington hotel. Leading up to the event are many lunches, dinners, cocktail party's and related events.

....more when I return....