Locals visit White House
Three county residents attended the White House ceremony that honored the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
Leslie Osche and her husband, Jim, drove to Washington, D.C., for their third trip to the White House during her tenure as chairwoman for the Butler County Commissioners.
Osche said security was strict as usual. No exceptions.
“Always, you have to go through security,” she said. “We arrived an hour early.”
Once inside, Osche said she saw a lot of county and state officials from Western Pennsylvania. She said there were private citizens in attendance as well.
Rebecca McCrea, owner of Hickey Bottom BBQ Sauce Co. in Renfrew, attended with the Western PA Trump Coalition, a group of volunteer political activists.
She said she connected with the group through her business, but didn't anticipate being invited to anything. Yet President Donald Trump's administration sent her a letter inviting her to Tuesday's event.
McCrea, a proud Trump supporter, said she started her day with lunch at Trump's hotel. She said the hotel was incredible to see, almost as incredible as the giant flag that was just inside the building. She and her group then made their way to the White House, where they met Trump and his wife, first lady Melania Trump.
The Stanley Cup entered the room first, then the Penguins and then the President and first lady, McCrea said. The ceremony commenced.
“You could feel the energy in the room,” she said. “Everyone was so excited.”
Osche said once Trump began to speak, he addressed a few current issues including sympathizing with the victims of the wildfires in Napa Valley.
“His remarks were well-prepared,” she said.
As serious as the president's sympathies were, Trump still lightened the mood with some jokes and banter once he started announcing the players names and discussing the team's championship achievements, according to Osche. She said Trump also talked about the importance the Penguins have in their community.
“He talked about the Penguins' charitable efforts,” she said. “I thought that was a nice gesture.”
Osche said she and her husband didn't have a chance to mingle with the team, but they were able to catch sight of the players as they boarded on the bus. Leslie and Jim Osche drove home Tuesday night.
McCrea said she had a great time, and she will cherish the memorable moment.
“It was an amazing experience,” McCrea said. “I was very fortunate to be able to do that.”
