Spending the day with the US Vice-President Joe Biden was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget!
I only found out I would be sitting with the VP a few days beforehand, leaving me little time to prepare for the big day. How exactly do you prepare yourself for such an honorable event?!
Some nerves really started to kick in, as I wasn’t sure what to expect. A short 48 hours passed and I quickly witnessed how the VP himself operates.
I began the day like I would any other, making sure I got a good night’s rest. My suit was ironed the night before and placed out ready to go, this way it was easy to see if I forgot anything. If there was ever a time to be organised, it better be for one of the most powerful men in the world.
Getting dressed that morning I was just happy and excited, I may have tied my tie 10 times over until the knot was up to ‘government’ standards. After I was dressed up and looking presentable, I did what any young man from my generation would do and sent out a few snapchats to some close friends with the caption, “time to play secret service”. I was soon in my car and on the way.
I arrived at the MCG about 30 minuets early to meet up with Collingwood forward Mason Cox. As I was standing outside the gate, two security guards walked up to me and informed me that I was not allowed to linger in the area and had to go somewhere else. I ensured them that I was meant to be there and was just waiting on one more, being Mason. Believe me, even if someone wanted to grab a photo of Biden they would have had a hard time with the level of security and police around.
Mason arrived and we went through the first security checkpoint, walked inside, and a member of the secret service was standing by the lift to the second floor. As he escorted us to the second floor we reached another security checkpoint. Once passing these points we entered the function room. It was a large room filled with very high-ranking guests including members of the military, ambassadors and even Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop. Mason and I spoke with everyone including Ms. Bishop, grabbing photos and telling our stories about how two American basketball players came to be in the AFL.
As game time approached all of the guests were escorted out to their seats, except Mason and I, we stayed and waited for Biden to come in. He arrived and we had a chance to personally greet and talk to him. He introduced us to his grandchildren and even tried his very first meat pie! I’ve come to realise a meat pie is an Aussie tradition! The first thing I noticed was how friendly he was. He seemed to just enjoy every part of his job. After greeting him and chatting he asked to call my parents to say ‘hi’. I thought this was amazing, so naturally a grabbed my phone and rang home – but no one answered! I’ll never let my parents live that one down! Before walking out to take our seats Biden looked to us with a big smile and gave us the go ahead to walk freely and relax telling us to “do whatever you guys want”. He enjoys keeping his secret service on high alert.
It was game time and the three of us took our seats. To my surprise the VP knew a lot about the game. For the first few minuets he explained what he understood which included marking, goal values, tackling rules, and general movement around the ground. I was impressed!
Matt Korcheck explains the intricacies of the game to US Vice-President Joe Biden.
I shared some knowledge surrounding my job as a ruckman and the differences between CSB, throw-ins and ball-ups. He was very interested and really enjoyed the game, occasionally letting out a cheer as kicks soared and tackles were made.
Besides footy, we talked about his family and his love for American college football. This is his favorite game to watch when, and if, he gets some down time. It almost felt as if you were sitting next to a friend.
We laughed through jokes, talked, and at times no words were said at all as we just watched the game. Around half-time we all went back inside, as I don’t think the VP is allowed to sit out in the open for too long for security purposes. So the rest of the game was spent inside where we sang happy birthday to Julie Bishop, continued chatting, and even took some selfies!
Once the game ended it was time for him to leave, he thanked us and we thanked him. I shook his hand, we both smiled and he told me “you better come back home someday”, I nodded and told him “I’ll be back”. His secret service walked him out and I walked back to my car trying to process the day.
It was unbelievable!
Matt Korcheck poses for a selfie with US Vice-President Joe Biden and Collingwood's American forward Mason Cox.
