Well, it just gets better. We ran into the Torch Ceremony. and then out of it. The Ceremony was amazing. 100's of Dalian Officers and SWAT team members. they released doves and everything. The colors were beautiful. The 11 sites that all the teams ran to and had Ceremonies at was run so that 10 minutes of each one were broad cast to 1 billion people in China live on CCTV. It was truely amazing. It is like they said, you can not discribe the feeling or what you see. When we ran out, it was supposed to only be around the block because we had to go up to the Community Ceremony immediately, BUT, the streets were lined for a mile with 1000's of people, just cheering us on and chanting. the chills just ran up and down our spines. We ran and high 5'ed 1000's of people. then we went to the Community event and got hugh beautiful bouquets of flowers and their version of the indian dream catcher. Then we ran about another mile through the park, transfering the Torch off to several different Athletes so they could run with us. Then the Hotel, (which is truely amazing, They great us at the doors with smiles and love every time as if it was our first time in the door), Then we got a tour and demo at the elite China SWAT Team Academy. Then we went to the Mounted Womens Police Patrol Academy. It was unbelievable. then we were the Honored guests of the Deputy Commisioner of Dilian for dinner in a privite room with all his heads of hs departments. It is the highest honor in China to do this. There were 27 different dishes and 42% alcohol, rice wine. It burned are nose hairs. He then took us on a walk thru the Dilian Park. We took the Torch along with us. And WOW !!!!!!!! People flocked to us for photo ops. We have been treated like kings of kings. They trip over each other to help us and get us things. you can just feel the warmth and electricity flow from them. They are a very proud culture. I sent a few more pictures. I have a ton, plus we are getting DVD's from the hotel people that keep taking pictures with us. Plus from all the photographers once they put them together. Plus I have taken a lot of video. So there will be more.
Catch you all later.-- Sgt. Michael E. MurrayCOPS CARE Chairman
Here is a few pics to start out. What a trip so far. The flight was very long........12 1/2 hours. Not looking forward to that going back. First couple of days were a lot of planning. We ran the Great Wall of China last night for the Torch Run Open Ceremonies. The Wall is very steep and very steep stairs. Incrediable. The site there were beautiful. Today we flew out to the most beautiful city in China, Dilian. And it is beautiful. The local police met us with cameras, video machines and flowers. What a reception. Then the hotel workers and management did the same. Treating us like royalty. The resturants they have feed us at are 5 1/2 star. Everything has been awesome.