My Trip To West Orange. Marijke Gerritsen.

Today West Orange Story from the Netherlands. This story is a proof we need as many as possible reports, stories (whatever we called them) about this amazing event. Each of us is different, each of us pay attention to different things, and only many stories will allow us a complete picture. Marijke has a great sense of humor and has an eye for detail. Thank you Marijke so much.

The plan to go to West Orange originated sometime in November 2024 and in January 2025 it gained more substance. There is so much going on in the world both privately and around us that we didn't dare to make any difinitive plans, but we decided to keep in touch with Barb & Karen to ask if they could keep us updated on hotels, bus tours and gala dinners. We signed up for everything as a gamble because there was no concrete plan regarding flying ; we were on standby if seats were available with KLM. It's super exciting and there hasn't been much sleeping in the last week. We has insights into the flights, there are 3 per day, but the first flight only has one seat available, and the following ones are overbooked..

July 27th is our first gamble to fly, we had agreed to meet at 12. Luckily we will get on as long as we are at the gate. Phew, the first step taken. We will spend 3 nights in NYC, where I want to go to my beloved bridge, the hospital where David was born no longer exists, but the place does.

July 29th New York to Weat Orange via a detour 'Hoboken' station where a video was supposedly recorded by David.

We arrive at the hotel at 14:00 pm and are warmly welcomed by Barb. The party can begin! Many familiar faces, a reunion from Vegas 3 years ago, we are all welcomed by the mayor of West Orange, Susan McCartney, a very approachable, charming woman. Also by the historian of WO, Joe Fagan. Fans from around the world Poland, UK, Switzerland, Canada, from all states USA and great friends - Johnny Ray Miller, Scottie Gerardi.

Barb & Karen big hats off to the ladies for what they have organized xxx

And as the cherry on top, Henry Diltz, the photographer of David arrives to loud cheers.

On July 30th wearing our T-shirts, with Dutch Fan on the front and back, yes we do Cherish David too, we got a ride from Karen Kaplen to Colgate Park. The ceremony was fantastic in one word, with speeches by Mayor, WO historian, Barb and Karen, and finally David's children, Katie and Beau. This was interspersed with music by David through the speakers ; everyone was in tears when David sang the national anthem a capella, it was goosebumps.

Katie and Beau spoke with so much respect about their father, it was emotional.

The next stop was Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where David was baptized. The reverend spoke beautiful words, and David's photo has a permanent place there. The next stop was Elm Street, which now has an additional name : David Cassidy Way, where David grew up. Fortunately, we got a lift back from Gina ; they could squeeze us in.

The Gala Dinner, we rode along with Ben, the lifeguard. And were at  top location with a view of New York, there was a fundriser for the David Cassidy Animal Foundation and a lottery. Henry Diltz had a beautiful, signed photos for sale. Johnny Ray gave a speech about the impact of David's music, and Linda and I were interviewed by Carol Kaplan who makes a podcast about David, what a nice person. Finally, after an evening with lots of dancing, photos, laughter and an amazing cover band, the highlight was Henry singing a tune. It was great, the organization, the food, the people!

July 31st! Home Is Where The Heart Is West Orange Tour.

At 8 o'clock, again a decorated bus and Karen even brought a skunk on wheels, hilarity all around, we all knew the PF episode with that stinking animal. Our guide was Susan McCartney. We passed by the 9/11 memorial for the rescue dogs, the house of Carole King and her husband Gerry Goffin, songwriting duo, the high school of David's mother, and the house and laboratory of Thomas Edison.

We were dropped off at the Elks Lodge were pizza and Coke were waiting for us. Then came the next highlight, Henry Diltz's presentation. He had wonderful stories and told them with great humour. For a friend in the Netherlands I was able to buy a great photo of Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood. Henry was there at Woodstock!! He certainly was..Finally, rain and not a little bit, what a joy, it cooled down a lot. Farewell to the Fab Four!! JR, SG, B, HD, after a fantastic finale the 70s party & the love train with Henry Diltz completely worn out back at the hotel.

Friday the 1st of August

With Maps.me we got quite far and arrived on time in our rental car in beautiful Saratoga, a kind of winter sports resort, but in summer.

Saturday, the 2nd of August

We can take a shuttle bus from the hotel to the race course. It's Whitney Stakes, a busy race day. Fortunately, we have plans for Sunday, we walked to the National Museum of Racing, passing beautiful houses looking for courtyard where the bench is, two even donated by fans worldwide. A second bench has been donated by David's friends, his veterinarian Jerry Bilinski and horse trainer, Gary Contessa.  We leave something behind on the front of the bench. David's body has been cremated and his ashes were scattered on the racetrack.

Sunday, the 3rd of August tickets are exciting, it's the oldest racetrack in the US, with flowers everywhere, and what a great atmosphere. It is a bit of a tradition to dress nicely with a hat, and traditions are important. We are taking a guided tour : we hear the bell ringing when the jockeys have to mount, and the trumpet sounds when the horses are about to hit the track. We also saw the spot were David's ashes were scattered. A kind of final farewell from me to him, and fortunately, I was alone! I now understand why here. We heard from a nice lady, that he, David, was found here daily, and was at home here, left alone by like-minded people; he was one of the guys. The races were under the man, a kind of gallop run where we could bet. First, the horses were introduced by the groom, then the jockeys, and then the track, where they are first accompanied by another rider.

Back to New York on Monday, the 4th of August where we look for the studio of Henry Diltz called Morrison Hotel.

Back to the hotel where the fire breaks out due to a man smoking in his room, fortunately no one was hurt, but suddenly there is a lot to arrange. We have to move to another hotel at the end of the evening, we choose a hotel near JFK where we can take shuttle to the airport, that's just our luck at a weird end of our trip. never a dull moment..or we get bad visiblity sandstorm alarm, bad weather alarm. When we are in the USA, an earthquake alarm, a fire alarm, I think we experienced everything now, We are lucky again on the return trip on the 5th as there is again a space on the flight to Amsterdam, we fly back in 5.55 hours, and are outside at 7:00 on the 6th of August where my husband will pick us up.

Thank you USA! Thank you fans!! Thank you West Orange!!! Forever engraved in my heart!!