Memorable Manassas Moments 2011

I began writing for Manassas Patch when it launched in December 2010, not once in a million years did I think my passion for writing turned occupation would take me the places it did.

In 2011 I found myself strapped into a WWII Vintage Warbird soaring high into the sky; walking in a field of 10,000 Civil War soldiers firing off cannons and rifles on the HOTTEST day of the year; interviewing players from the Washington Redskins; and eating plenty of good food from the generous merchants in Manassas.

All was made possible by Manassas Patch. Now, over 100 articles later and the dawn of a new year, I would like to share my top five memorable moments from 2011.

• #5 - ALL THE GOOD FREE FOOD - A special thanks goes out to all the generous Manassas merchants that provided me with their tasty selections on the house for my weekly Bites Nearby column. In no order, here are a few; Siam Classic, Deli Depot, City Square Cafe, Katerina's, Old Towne Sports Pub, Tom's Diner, Famous Kabob, Bella Vita, Cafe Rio and Persnickety Cakes.
  
  
  
• #4 - - While this was one of many charity events held at Old Towne Sports Pub during 2011, this event was over the top. Why? The parking lot was transformed into a beach with 60 tons of sand, inflatable water slides, kiddie pools, water balloons and live head shaving on the deck—all to raise money for charity. A duck tank even got the best of Manassas City Council Member Marc Aveni and Del. Jackson Miller (see photos).
  
  
  
• #3 - - On July 23, 2011, I found myself along with cameraman Garrett Johnson in the thick of battle. With the heat index hovering around 120 degrees we fought through unbearable heat and humidity at Pageland Farm where thousands of Civil War soldiers re-enacted the First Battle of Manassas (see video).
  
  
• #2 -   After the battle re-enactment Garrett and I raced on down to Old Dominion Speedway for Joe Gibbs NASCAR Day. Working on empty stomachs, it was such a relief to show up and be granted VIP passes. We soon found ourselves in a air conditioned tent with all the Uncle Fred's BBQ we could eat. Not to mention there were Monster Trucks, Flipping dirt bikes, celebrity go-kart races, stock car race with famous NASCAR drivers. Senator George Allen and Washington Redskins playmaker, Lorenzo Alexander were also on hand for the big event (see video). 
  
  
• #1 -  Hands down, by far, the ultimate experience of not just the year but for a lifetime. How many of us can say we flew inside of a 60 plus-year-old vintage WWII Warbird and a helicopter in the same day? To make it even sweeter, I had never flown in any sort of aircraft before this day in May 2011. Many thanks goes to Chris Lawson, a former Marine and a very active part for the Wings, Wheels & Warriors Airshow. The article I wrote about my experience even made it to AOL's homepage for a day, whoa! (see amazing video)

Thank you to everyone in the community that visits Manassas Patch and enjoys our topics. A big  thanks to local editor Erin Gibson for sending me awesome leads and trusting that I would get the job done.  I look forward to another exciting year.