WWII MEMORIAL

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight arrived today in perfect synch with Senator Dole.  Lead by Ray Wiedle, the 17 veteran group was met by an Honor Guard and probably had the most comfortable weather of the year. It was a lovely blue sky day punctuated with a good breeze and remarkably pleasant temperatures......something we needed badly in Washington after a long string of soggy hot weather!!!  The Pictures are available at the WWII Memorial Photo Site.

Here's to Fall which is looking like it's going to keep the Ground Crew mighty busy!!!

Columbus is Double Doled

Bobbi and Bill Richards arrived at the Memorial at about 11 AM with their Columbus veterans and TWICE IN A ROW, we got the group picture right away. I guess they've done nine trips this year and seven to go so will be picking up the big award this year for most visits to the Memorial. I think they may be in contention with Jim McLaughlin. After we got the group photo taken care of, the veterans headed off to see the Memorial. 

After an hour or so, Senator and Mrs. Elizabeth Dole showed up with "Leader the dog" in tow.  She was ahead of Senator Dole who hasn't been to the Memorial since his surgery a couple of weeks ago.   She warmed up the crowd for him and when he arrived fifteen minutes later, there was great applause and they posed together with the Veterans so we did the group twice.  Hey...if it was good the first time!!

For a change, the Senator (Robert) took the Doctor's Orders and only stayed for ten minutes.  Mrs. Dole stayed another half hour and kept the veterans delighted.  She is very gracious and while I have known her  a long time, she always make me feel like she remembers!!!  it's a rare gift and she's a great lady.  Senator Dole was looking pretty spiffy but I am personally quite happy that he is agreeing to listen to the Doctor.  There were a lot of emails this week about getting him to only stay a few minutes but he is not easily swayed...to say the least.  For a Republican, he's awfully Independent!  The Photos are available on the Jewel of the Mall site and can be downloaded for free and for personal use only.  I have to thank Matt Mabe of the FBI who works with us when Senator Dole is available. He's great to have in the crowd to make sure things go smoothly.  

Dayton Honor Flight on the go

 

It was a typical Washington August Day and Dayton Honor Flight arrived early and they ate over on the North side of the Memorial which is a nice shady area.  There is a small garden area which is often overlooked and which is quite comfortable.  I caught them here and there and you can see and download the pictures at the Photo Site.

Dayton and Columbus July 11, 2009

Eal Morse, Bobbi and Bill Richards and some 200 Veterans and Guardians were greeted today by Senator Elizabeth Dole.  Fortunately, there are two of them!!  And even better, she likes the shade.  There were soldiers from Ft. Meade and about thirty ladies from the Daughters of the American Revolution who formed an honor guard for the arriving vets.  Mrs. Dole is seen here with Desamae Curry who is with the DAR and Honor Flight so organized the greeting. Earl Morse was along with Jim Salamon and the Dayton, Ohio Honor Flight. The pictures are available for download at the PHOTO SITE.

For the record, I think I got the first perfect group shot of Columbus today.  It's only taken two years but I'm slow to learn.  Bobbi and Bill Richards are at the Memorial every two weeks and should be forewarned that if you spend too much time in DC, we start taxing you!  And we're already taxing you!!! 

"Women in Military Service to America" Museum

Behind this wall at Arlington Cemetery is the Women in Military Service to American Museum often overlooked because of it's position just below Lee House.  The architects essentially dug behind the retaining wall of the cemetery and put in the most astonishingly beautiful museum in the city.  Unfortunately, they can't get a sign out of the Park Service but don't let that stop you from visiting.  When you are there, say hello to Betty and Lorraine who "woman" the gift shop. Betty's daughter is a National Park Service Ranger while Lorraine Dieterle is a retired Coast Guard woman who has a book on Arlington Cemetery, photographed Truman, MacArthur, ....and trained Coast Guard personnel in photography. Thanks to General Pat Foote, they were the first museum to handle "Jewel of the Mall" in 2005 when it was first printed. Every once in a while a group of women veterans jump off the bus and give WIMSA a visit while the boys go up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Cleveland

Today was probably the most beautiful day DC has had since the last really beautiful day which was yesterday so it was with great timing that Gene O'Quinn sailed into town from Cleveland with 110 people.  They met with Senator Dole and held both a Wreath and Flag ceremony at the Ohio Pillar.  The pictures are available here.

Greenville, South Carolina inaugural flight....

Mayor Dennis Waldrop and his wife Betty organized and helped raise money for the group from Greenville, South Carolina. Nice to see a Mayor who cares so deeply about his community.

A group of young boys were talking to the bugler Roland Sluder and their astonishment of his tales of fighting and being wounded in the Pacific was priceless.

Emerald Coast Honor Flight

Emerald Coast Honor Flight was first on the scene yesterday and it seemed there were as many guardians and staff as Veterans. Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida was on hand to greet the Veteranst. A particularly moving wreath ceremony was held centered on the reflecting pool with the Lincoln in the background. There were 130 veterans lead by Sheila Bowman of Congressman Miller's office. Congressman Miller and Senator Dole stayed with the Veterans for a couple of hours and were later joined by Congressman Jim Moran of Kansas. Robyn Brooks of the NorthWest Daily News wrote a four page article with video available here. This coming Saturday there will be more than 1000 Veterans on the Mall. It should be quite an event!!! Photos Available

Oneida, New York ...the First Bus

Erwin Smith of Oneida, New York brought the first load of 52 veterans and guardians today, Tuesday April 8th, 2008. The group is in for three days and this is the second year and the second trip for the Oneida Rotary Club. Like Honor Flight, the Vets were accompanied by guardians and two fireman from the Oneida Fire Department provided medical support. The weather was a bit sketchy when they started out but it cleared this afternoon and the next couple of days are looking good. I asked them if they had been in touch with Honor Flight and like several groups I've met, they operated remarkably similarly but had never heard of Honor Flight. Susan, ...they'll be in touch!!! I also got a note on the schedule from Susan preparing everyone for the first big day which is I believe April 19th. It should be quite a crowd!!

Military Order of the Purple Heart

Chief Adjutant Joseph W. Palagyi of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, has joined Honor Flight in adopting "Jewel of the Mall" for his organization. The book will be distributed through their physical store in Northern Va and their website which is listed above. The Order of the Purple Heart works with veterans in the VA hospitals helping them with their claims and paperwork. The book is being sold to MOPH at cost enabling them to use it for mementos or to fund raise.