A "fan" is a "fanatic," and for avid Dynamo fans, soccer is a way of life. Who knew that being a Dynamo fan would allow us to be a part of team history and to experience American history, all in the same day? One sees images on television of the White House and the president in the Rose Garden, but who could imagine being able to stand in the Rose Garden with the president?
The flight, culminating on a very early morning in Washington, D.C., was exhausting, but the excitement of what was to come made it all worthwhile. After a quick night's sleep and a hurried breakfast, we were on the bus. On the drive to the White House, seeing all the historic buildings, all the images of power and strength, and literally feeling the greatness of our nation gave us the overpowering feeling that we were really there.
Once inside the White House, we saw all the pictures of the former presidents and first ladies and the furnishings used by all the residents, and we heard all the stories surrounding each room and fixture. To see the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, our first president, which was saved by Dolley Madison during the War of 1812, brought a huge lump to our throats. To walk the halls where Kennedy and Roosevelt walked and to know that they entered these same rooms in which we stood was awe-inspiring.
Perhaps one of the coolest events of the entire day was seeing the president and the motorcade enter the White House grounds. All the secured vehicles, the Secret Service, and then the president exiting his limousine and saying, like a regular person, "Man, it's hot," were indescribable. For the two of us - two Texas boys, born and bred - the thought in our minds was, "This is our president." Sometimes the word "overwhelming" is overused, but no word other than "pride" could convey our feelings of the day.
Soccer has been our lives since we were each 5 years old. We have played it, watched it, supported it and passed the love of it onto our own sons. To have this opportunity to visit the White House because we support a team and a sport that we both love so much has combined the best of both worlds.
Thank you to the Houston Dynamo and the entire Dynamo organization for the opportunity to participate in something so special to them. Although it was only 24 hours, it was one of those "memory moments," a time that we will always remember.
Scott Ethan Tucker and Stephen Monroe Tucker II are Dynamo season ticket holders from Section 204 who won a random drawing from among season ticket holders to accompany the Dynamo on their White House trip.
