SERRO SCOTTY CAMPER ENTHUSIASTS
| SCOTTY STORIES |
| ANOTHER SAGA OF THE MOTEL 3........ I was headed to Washington, DC for a reunion of CBMU-301 the military unit that I served with in Vietnam in 1968-69. Just for grins and giggles, I hooked on the MOTEL 3 (little Scotty Gaucho 13 foot) at the last minute and took her along. It don't cost that much more for the gas. Upon arrival at the huge MegaMillionBuck Hotel, in Arlington, I found the parking lot was jammed not one space left. I went inside to see the desk clerk, she said "NO, SIR WE DON'T HAVE NO RESERVATION FOR YOU!" "UH, OH." I said. "WELL, I SEE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A PARKING GARAGE DOWN UNDER THIS HOTEL. IS THAT FOR HOTEL GUESTS?" "YES " she said. "THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE IS FOR THE HOTEL GUESTS." "OK, I WONDER IF YOU MIGHT ALLOW ME TO PARK THERE AND YOU COME GET ME WHEN YOU GET A ROOM AVAILABLE." No problem, and she cut me a magnetic card that opens the electric gate to the parking garage. I slipped her a folded $20 bill with smile and nothing need to be said. The Scotty just barely fit down there, cleared the sprinkler pipes by about 2 inches. I ran on battery power for next three days, used the gas stove for heat, and lived nice and cheap while my buddies were upstairs spending $160 per night. Got to go do the tours with them to Arlington Cemetery, and National Mall, and THE WALL where names of 58,000 of our young people are chiseled into the stone. I found there were at least 100,000 people wanting to shake my hand and say "WELCOME HOME THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!" Nothing like the NON WELCOME we had received in 1969-70 upon returning from the war. Nobody to spit on us now, or throw garbage this time, nothing but real reverent respect this time on November 11, 2006. After the big banquet on Saturday evening, I got a few hours sleep in the Scotty, and pulled out of the garage about 3:30 Sunday morning, was safely home in about 12 hours. Later I sent that hotel desk clerk some gift certificates for Mc Donald's. I hope her boss never found out. The other SEABEES from my unit are still chuckling as they remember the story, which will be told around other reunions for some years to come. Respectfully Submitted by Doug Mc Cormick, Brighton, MI |
| Doug Mc Cormick Brighton MI Motel 3 |