Frustrating!!!!!!!

The Presidential Inauguration is on Mon. Jan 21. with the Commander-in-Chief Inaugral Ball to follow that evening. The US Military services were allotted 1465 tickets (pairs) for Servicemembers and their guest to attend the Ball. Those tickets were distributed throughout the various Branches of Service (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Cost Guard). The Army was allotted 560 (pairs) tickets with the National Guard receiving 180. Each command had to nominate a Soldier that epitomizes the core values of the ANG. Within Rich's rank structure (E-7-E-9) their were 18 tickets allotted throughout the United States.

We knew that Rich (and I) had been nominated but what were the odds??? 18 tickets across the United States??? Well, Rich got the call YESTERDAY - 5 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT that he had been selected to attend with his spouse - ME! There are OFFICIAL "tickets"/invitation with OUR names on them in Washington, DC!

We went into shock and panic mode rather quickly, as did the State NG - they never expected that an Alabama National Guardsman would be selected. Montgomery went into panic mode as to where the money would come from to pay for this?? Back and forth...back and forth they went.In the meantime I found a dress that is appropriate for the occasion ($250, bought it so it can be altered and ready in time.

We went ahead and booked a hotel in DC within the per diem rate...and waited.

Today we found out that the NG would not put me on travel orders with Rich and we would have to pay for my airline ticket (they went ahead and booked his for $800) if I was to attend with him. There is NO WAY in HELL that Rich would go with out me....his words - not mine. Rich called the airline to book and found an airline reservation for me  will cost $1750! Talk about a HUGE halt in everything. We certainly cannot justify that much for an airline ticket...even for the occasion....even is we could get the ticket at the military rate it would still be a stretch...doable but a stretch!

So tomorrow Rich will make another attempt with his unit/State NG Bureau. We are looking at just making the 10-12 hour drive instead..it just boggles our mind; although we both know not to think anything will go smoothly when dealing with the military.

Grrrrrr...fortunately Rich and I travel well together!

Peace!