Driving through Los Angeles (specifically Riverside, CA area) this morning on our way to Disneyland. Los Angeles traffic heavy. To drive through on a Sunday morning—a typically slow traffic day—I expected that we would not deal with much volume on the major roads. But, we experienced heavy traffic from Indio all the way to Anaheim. We experience one minor traffic jam and simple slow moving traffic for most of the way to our exit.
A cool moment, however, was passing a Marine convoy. I first saw a group parked at a rest area and we drove passed. I first thought they were National Guardsmen, when I passed them—and it brought back memories of convoying through Kentucky to Fort Know, when I was riding or leading those convoys. When we got closer to the second group I noticed that they were Marines by seeing their uniforms. As we drove, we were again in heavy traffic, so I focused on the driving and Monica snapped some photos with my iPhone.
In nearly every photo, the Marines photographed waved to the camera. This shows to me first friendliness, but also a level of alertness to the people around them, even some stranger snapping a photo. This alertness may also save their life one day.
It was good to see them today. I know I’m not a Marine—and would have preferred seeing an Army convoy—but I was proud of them as I passed. Regardless of the service where they volunteered to join, these young people are doing a great job, and it was really good to see them. We Americans have a lot to be proud of .