While hyperlocal North Texas is the name of the PegNews game, I played hooky from the neighborhood movie beat for several days to travel with my wife to Washington D.C., where her brother Steve was being sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala.
I've known Steve for many years - he flew in from somewhere in South America - Peru, I think - twelve years ago to attend my wedding and act as impromptu photographer, since Anne (his sister) and I had sort of overlooked that whole "photographing the wedding" thing. Knowing Steve as I do, I consider his elevation to the rank of ambassador well deserved. Like his father, Steve has served in the foreign service most of his adult life and has somehow simultaneously raised four (count 'em - FOUR!) sons. Of course, Steve's wife, Karin, has had more than a little to do with all this.
The swearing in ceremony took place in the Benjamin Franklin room in the U.S. State Department building, which - it turns out - even ambassadors elect (and their retinues) have trouble parking anywhere near. After a brisk hike across several blocks of downtown D.C., we were ushered through security and directed to the grand expanse of the reception area, where a podium had been prepared for the occasion. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte would perform the swearing in while a couple hundred invited guests looked on, including representatives of the Guatemalan government. Steve had previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission in their country, and they appeared happy to see him installed in the primary leadership role - which seems like a good sign.
Following the ceremony, I was pleased to make the acquaintance of veteran (and semi-legendary) U.S. diplomat Tom Boyatt, whose career exploits read like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. Upon hearing of my interest in American Civil War history, Tom expounded briefly on the impact of leadership on the opposing armies during that epic dust-up. I also learned that his grandfather served in the war - on the side of the Yanks.
When Steve and Karin had shaken the hands and/or kissed the cheeks of those in the reception line, a select group (about 80) boarded taxis to travel to a nearby Fogo de Chão, where we were instructed in how to eat like an ambassador - one cut of savory roasted critter after another.
It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, folks.
Comments
Stacey Callaway Verified
How does one that now shoots with a 5D forget about having ones wedding photographed?
2 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
John Meyer Staff
TC - twelve years ago I was clueless in regard to photography. Now, it's a passion. (Thus the 5D.)
2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
annem Anonymous
There is an actual Pegasus-connection here. In the 1960's, the Ambassador-to-be spent his boyhood summers in Central Texas, and grandparents ferried him into Dallas every so often. When the Dallas skyline became visible from Highway 67, he was always the first child in the car to spot -- and claim for his own -- the "Flying Red Horse."
To further the Dallas connection, the Ambassador's father, George, was born in Dallas and came of age with it, in many respects. He helped create the bird dioramas you see in the Natural History museum, and in the 1940's was a lifeguard at White Rock Lake, which at that time was decked out like a real swimming pool. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High and SMU.
2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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