(Click on photo for larger image)
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Ed Bauer in the second photo, center, the lower rider.
Photo was taken during the Popes visit during which time
it rained almost continually. This was one of the rare
times officers were told to ride during rainy weather.
(Anecdote by Ed Bauer regarding this escort motorcade.
"We were first sent out from the station house, enroute
to LaGuardia Airport, where the Pope’s motorcade would
originate from. About half-way to the airport from the
station house, we received a radio call for all cars to
return to the station house where we were then, astonishingly,
told we would ride, rain or no rain. We then mounted up,
gassed up, formed up, and proceeded again to the airport.
From that point on, for the next two day it rained almost
continuously, with two exceptions. It seemed, almost
incredulously, that every time we stopped a visit point
with the Pope, the rain would diminish greatly or stop
altogether, but as soon as he was back in his car, the rain
would re-commence and continue entirely until we arrived at
the next visit point. Although we were wearing the leather
jackets, the rain penetrated all the way through to our
skin. I recall having a puddle in each of my boots due to
the water splashing up from the front wheel. The second
exception was during the last day of his visit, and his
stop at Shea Stadium for his farewell. We had been in
Brooklyn where he visited an old church in downtown
Brooklyn, and we then took the BQE to the GCP, to the
Northern Blvd. ramp to Shea Stadium where we would enter
through the center field gates. As we turned off the ramp
and began to enter the stadium, the rain stopped, the clouds
parted, and the sun came out for the first time in two days.
It sent chills up my spine…… ..almost made me want to go right
to church!!!!!! Ha, ha, ha. What an experience!!!"
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