2 Laurel County women meet Pope Benedict in Washington

By Tara Kaprowy
Staff Writer

May 08, 2008 09:47 pm

— Deanna Herrmann and Missy Lewis sat at Cracker Barrel Tuesday with their hands clutched around their cups.
They laughed often, spilled details, stirred anecdotes and even finished each other’s sentences. Every once in a while, the waitress would come by with inquiring eyes. The women smilingly waved her off in exchange for telling their story.
It is a good one.
Three weeks ago, Herrmann and Lewis went to Washington, D.C., to see Pope Benedict XVI.
The two women, both of whom are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, found out the trip was a possibility a month before the pope’s arrival.
“We found out we were nominated to be considered to be invited for the pope’s papal visit,” Lewis explained.
They’d been invited as guests of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. After going through an extensive background check, the invitation was confirmed.
“We were, totally, road trip!” Lewis said.
On April 14, the women hopped into Lewis’ Honda Odyssey — “my swallowed pride” — and were on their way. Nine hours later, they pulled into the Hawthorn Suites in Alexandria, Va.
It was the first time Lewis had been to Washington — and she got a good taste of the city. The next morning, after a ride on the Metro, the women toured the Capitol, visited all of the monuments, Arlington Cemetery, and even saw Vice President Dick Chen-ey’s motorcade pull up.
Lewis, an attorney, was especially impressed when visiting the U.S. Supreme Court.
“History happens in these buildings so it was a neat place to be,” she said.
While the women were happy with their day in Washington, they were ecstatic to see Pope Benedict.
“It was really hard to sleep that night,” Lewis admitted.
They got up the next morning at 5:30 a.m. — though did not have to actually be at the White House until three hours later.
They dressed in carefully chosen outfits — Herr-mann in a black and white jacket, Lewis in her “light blue tapestry Cabi jacket” — and then were faced with what to do with the contents of their purses.
“We were told to come with just ourselves, a driver’s license, our ticket and a camera,” Lewis said.
“So we had money stuffed in our trouser socks,” Herrmann laugh-ed.
“I had my credit cards, my keys in my socks too,” Lewis added.
The women set off for the White House and quickly realized they would be in a huge crowd — estimated to be 12,000 strong. After waiting in line and passing through security, the women made their way to the White House’s south lawn, now each carrying a bottle of water and two flags.
The atmosphere was upbeat — thanks in part to the beautiful, sunny day, but also thanks to the people who attended.
“Everyone there was as nice as can be,” Lewis said. “It was amazing for that many people to be in one place that everyone was over-the-top cooperative.”
President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush came out first to greet the crowd and welcome Pope Benedict.
“You’ve chosen to visit America on your birthday,” the President said. “Well, birthdays are traditionally spent with close friends, so our entire nation is moved and honored that you’ve decided to share this special day with us.”
“The whole crowd went wild when he came out,” Lewis said of the pope.
“Just seeing him, the first time you lay eyes on him, it puts tears in your eyes,” Herrmann said.
“They started singing Happy Birthday to him right away,” Herrmann added. “I just reel over the fact that I sang Happy Birthday to the pope. I’m just sure he heard me.”
The 21-gun salute came next, followed by the National Anthem and the Lord’s Prayer.
Lewis recalled watching President Bush during the singing of the National Anthem.
“Seeing your president standing there with his hand over his heart was a pretty moving experience,” she said.
The pope then addressed the crowd.
“I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel, and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society,” he said. “America’s Catholics have made, and continue to make, an excellent contribution to the life of their country. As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States.”
“He closed by saying ‘God Bless America,’” Lewis said.
The ceremony ended around noon. The women capped off their trip with lunch at a hip Italian restaurant, where they watched the pope’s motorcade drive away on TV, and then drove back to London themselves.
“It was funny to see the pope in the morning and be home that night,” Lewis said. “The White House in the morning and my house at night.”
And, as the women reminisced about their trip in Cracker Barrel, it was clear they were still marveling.
“It was just neat that two little people got to go,” Lewis said.

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.

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