The Bear-Minder-General and Mrs BMG went on holiday again, and agreed to take me with them. Virginia, here I come!
When I first emerged from the BMG's back-pack, I was a little bit surprised to find myself being labelled and weighed. I was even more surprised to discover that America was indoors, and not as big as I had expected. To my relief, the BMG explained that this was just Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, and that the labels were there to ensure I received priority treatment en-route. We then settled in to the new Sofitel Hotel, attached to T5, for a good night's sleep before catching the morning's British Airways flight to Washington (Dulles).
It was a comfortable 7-hour journey, helped by the comfy full-length flat-bed seats and some very decent food and wine. The BMG successfully penetrated USA Border Control, picked up the rental car, and before long we were checking in at our hotel. I was introduced to Kathryn and Carmen, who issued me with my electronic door key, we unpacked our kit, and then headed down the corridor to Duke's Market Cafe for an early meal and to meet some of the BMG's buddies from previous visits. Hello to - Michael, Al, Keith, 'Grandpa', Chris and all those other incredibly sociable Virginia people. I got nice cuddles from Kristen, Phyllis and Sean [the owner], and got more the following evening when it was "Band Night" in the restaurant. The guys of Route 66 played brilliantly, and I explained what holidays4heroes is all about - they obviously agreed to pose with me!
The BMG thought I ought to visit some of the memorials in Washington DC, so we headed for the National Mall where I posed for a few pictures. I hope President Lincoln didn't mind being photographed with an ARRSE Challenge Coin! Pre-loaded with RBL Poppies, we then took some photos at the Korean War memorial, and met a group of students on a Civic Leadership programme. They wanted to know if the BMG was a "War Veteran" - how does an old Crab explain that? We then went to see the the Womens' Memorial and some of the other memorials.
My next outing was to Old Town Alexandria, once the main tobacco exporting port for Virginia and situated on the banks of the Potomac River about 5 miles south of the White House. The 18th century houses are all perfectly preserved [even Brits live there, it seems!], and the Waterfront area is perfect for a gentle stroll [OK, I was carried]. I also persuaded a Vietnam veteran to let me sit on his Harley.
Apparently Mrs BMG is heavily into shopping, so we made one of several trips to the massive Outlet Mall at Potomac Mills. There I paid a courtesy call on the local branch of Build-A-Bear, and explained that Cpl Horsa and Sgt Hotspur are their products. I also popped in to the local US Armed Forces Recruiting Office, although they seem to be more interested in recruiting cardboard dogs than bears.
I made a real live US military friend in the bar at the hotel, a Lt Col working at the Pentagon. Having given him the full story about the Slingsby Bears, he disappeared back to his room and returned with a USAF bear which he presented to the BMG. Thanks, Chris!! A further trip to Build-A-Bear sourced a suitable USAF uniform, and Chief Master Sergeant Clark Pentagon was duly recruited as the Personal Assistant to the BMG for Admin duties at HQ Bears!
My next major outing was to the US National Marine Corps Museum at Quantico- Wow!! The BMGs said it one of the best museums they've ever seen, with fantastic and imaginative life-size displays of men and equipment through the USMC's history. These provided a perfect opportunity for a Bear to get in on the act!! The Museum Shop had some great things on sale, but sadly they didn't do flight jackets in my size!
Another visit was to Fort Ward which was one of the dozens of forts that defended Washington during the American Civil War. The Fort Ward Preservation Society have done a great job over the years in bringing the fort back to life, assisted by regular events by the re-enactors of the 3rd US Regular Infantry. On my visit they were showing tentage and personal equipment, and the more luxurious accommodation of the "Officers' Hut". The food was inedible, though - it tasted like plaster!
Occoquan [where do they get these names?] held its bi-annual Craft Fair, and as that involved shops Mrs BMG insisted we go and look! That was another "Wow!", with the whole of the Main Street given over to over 300 craft stalls and food/beverage outlets! In attendance were members of the Virginia State Guard, where I said "Hello", before muscling in on a book-signing ["Blackbear the Pirate" by Steve Buckley] and climbing over a Fire Truck operated by the local Volunteer Fire Department. I then met "Mrs Virginia International 2009" Jennifer Phillips, who was so lovely and charming that the BMG had to take her photo twice [just in case, so he said].
Back at Duke's, it was time for more food and drink, and a pose with Sarah and Phyllis - and a chance to try out a beautiful model Jeep [which proved to be too small for me].
And then I went to Mars. That's the Military Affiliate Radio System - which appears to be a cross between radio hams and a phone-patch system for US military guys overseas. My new buddy Keith took me to the US Coastguard TISCOM in Alexandria to show me the radio gear; all I seemed to get was static noise, but then I'm used to getting that from the BMG! And then we went back to Duke's for an important event; sitting at the Bar watching the Washington Redskins play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I felt obliged to support the Redskins, who then sp ent the first 2 quarters playing like Accrington Stanley on a bad day before finally getting their act together and squeezing a 16-13 win. I was only faintly impressed!
All of a sudden my visit was over, apart from a brief meeting with someone I'd seen on TV a lot and who seemed to be quite important. So the BMGs packed their shopping, and we set off for home. Drive to airport, drop off rental car, queue through Dulles Security, sit in Lounge, sit on aircraft, stagger through Heathrow T5, taxi to Gatwick, queue through Security, sit in Lounge, sit on aircraft, taxi to HQ ... and sleep. The BMG's getting too old for 30-hour days!
A fantastic trip, BMG, and thanks for taking me! The area of Northern Virginia is almost untrodden by British tourists, and yet it has so much to offer. Great food, museums, scenery, shops ... and loads of lovely people! He'll be doing another visit next year - I wonder who will get to go on that one?
[Ed: If anyone wants more info on holidays in Virginia or the DC area you should contact the BMG - he goes every year!
Take a look at the State Website! ]
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Holidays 4 Heroes is an informal group of people that assists wounded service personnel and their families get a precious break from the routine of rehab, hospital appointments and visits to welfare offices by facilitating holidays away from it all in accommodation donated by our sponsors in the UK and abroad. 
Deals with the cases that either lie outside the normal remit of the main Service Charities, or require a faster response than they can usually provide. Sometimes the cases require financial assistance, a little bit of nudging in the right direction for long-term help, or the application of a bit of expertise.