Concert for Valor Preparations on the Mall

Although they promised, we didn't see any of the performers that would be doing dress rehearsals this morning. Of course, it was probably a bit too early. As usual, we went for our Monday morning walk along the mall. For the past many days, preparation has been ongoing for the HBO Concert for Valor tomorrow night at 7 PM. Today, most of the streets and Mall are blocked off, metro transit police are making the rounds, the helicopters are flying overhead, the jumbo trons are in place, and sound checks are being made. The stage begins near the Air and Space Museum and the crowd can assemble all the way down to the Washington Monument. In the middle of all this - in front of the Smithsonian Castle - it is blocked off due to ground restoration work. Where restoration has already occurred, it is covered to protect it from the hoards of footsteps. It's amazing that some folks don't know what is going on..."what are you preparing for?" is a frequently heard question of the concert staff that are stationed every so many feet around the perimeter. The portapotties are the most obvious but necessary distraction in front of the Smithsonian Museums. I'm not sure if we will venture out tomorrow evening to actually see any of this, but it's nice to know we have that option. Maybe we will walkabout this evening and again tomorrow morning. The crowds are expected very early on - and maybe we will finally catch Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood or who knows who doing a practice run.