Fireworks

I really like fireworks. Seems like I always have. But I can't watch them now without thinking of what Morgan said to me just before Independence Day, 2003. I asked him if he wanted to plan to see fireworks, that maybe we could go where there were some really great ones. He responded, "No, Dad. I've seen all the fireworks I think I can stand now." He had just returned from Iraq.

These are fireworks we saw while in Savannah, GA, for Independence Day, 2010.

Banner Close-Up

Here's a better view of the banner itself. See below for more information about it.

Back at the House

I had a banner made using the graphics we had used in previous years for the masthead of our Memorial Day program. I imagined it (the actual design was created by Nancy Connor, a talented artist that I work with) evoking the memory of anyone who has ever received a folded flag. Although we tried to get an actual Marine for the hands, we wound up borrowing a coat and gloves and using Janet's hands. The hands of the flag receiver belong to Brenda Leive, the leader of the Military Support Group.

Better Look at the Plaque

Here's a closer look at the plaque on the rock.

Wreath and Flags

Here's a close-up of the wreath and flags.

Memorial Tree

Here's the memorial tree, decorated for the day.

Memorial Day Service

Now that we're nearing the end of summer, I'm getting around to putting up pictures from things that occurred earlier. We held a small service at the memorial tree in back of the church. I said a few words at the service, the ABC's of remembering what those like Morgan have done for us. A is acknowledging each day that there are those who give much that we might enjoy our way of life. B is live to benefit those around us, in the spirit and example of those like Morgan. And C is live with courage and do those things which we know to be right even when they are hard and exact a significant price.

Spring Storms

We've had some strong storms over the last few days. These images were taken a couple of days apart, each after a strong storm had just passed.

Sunset breaking through the clouds.

A bright rainbow after the storm (the image doesn't do it justice).

Angelica and John's New Home

We traveled to Louisville for the housewarming party at Angelica and John's new home. Here are a few pictures of the trip. No interior shots, though, so you'll have to visit yourself to see what they are doing on the inside!

Summer Ridge Springtime

Summer Ridge is very pretty in the spring. Here are a few images from earlier this spring.

Trees along Midnight Pass

More trees along Midnight Pass

Janet and Pumpkin walking

Redbud along Midnight Pass

Lilacs in our yard

Backyard Birds

We've seen an amazing number of different birds in the backyard this spring. Here are a couple.

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-wing Blackbird

Indianapolis Museum of Art Gardens

We went to the IMA to walk the gardens on Mother's Day. Here are images from that day.

Son and mother

A fountain in the formal garden

Gary and Janet

Memorial Weekend 2010

We held a special service Saturday evening, May 29, behind Connection Point Church to remember those who gave lives for our freedom and liberty. A parking lot has now been constructed in the area where we did this in 2008. We gathered next to the memorial tree, planted in 2005 by the Military Support Group (see picture below). Afterward, many of those who attended joined us at our house for a cookout and fellowship.

The banner above hung over the door to the house, as seen in the first photo above.

Maui 2009 Post 2

OK, the Internet wasn't available because someone cut a fiber optic cable! The newspaper says that everything was marked like it should have been before someone started digging (they aren't identifying "someone"), but it makes you wonder why this seems to happen even after all the marking. Anyway, here are some more Maui adventure pictures.

We went parasailing. Doesn't look like Brian thinks that was such a great idea!

OK, that's better! Now that we're off the deck of that boat, we're really flying!

1,200 feet doesn't seem that high up, until you look straight down!

Tickling our toes in the water. They won't drop us in, will they?
Rachel and Andrea's turn. Andrea looks like she has the same opinion as Brian did at the start.

OK, now we're with it. Just took getting into the air.

Get those toes wet!

That's all for this update. More to come (if we have Internet access).

Maui 2009

Time for a trip to Maui! We arrived Friday afternoon about 2pm Maui time, ate lunch at that quintessential Hawaiian restaurant, Denny's, then headed to K-Mart to get supplies. We arrived at the resort just in time to be present when about 3/4 of the resort was also arriving.

The first picture is the requisite group picture - me, Brian, Janet, Rachel and Andrea. Pretty good looking bunch, at least until the sun and ocean get a whack at us.

Our room looks out over the Pacific, as noted in the second picture. The ocean is pretty rough right now, much rougher than we've seen in the past. The surfers are loving it.

Of course, what would Hawaii be without beautiful sunsets. And people to take pictures of them. In pic 3, Andrea and Rachel try to capture that beauty.

The nautical nature of Hawaii can't be overlooked, either. Everywhere you go you are confronted with dugouts and outriggers. Picture 4 is of one of the anchors that is used to hold Maui in place. At least, I think that's what they're for. These are all over the place around here, so they must have some practical purpose.

And last, a picture of the guy guarding the beach. Signs inform all who come near that there are no lifeguards around here, so this guy tries to scare people into not going near the water - but they do anyway.

More later....

Medal Award Ceremony

Medal presented.

Medal Award Ceremony

Citation with details concerning the reasons the award was made.

Medal Award Ceremony

1st Sergeant speaking about the medal and the process for awarding it.

Medal Award Ceremony

Shaun Aragon speaking (click pic for larger version).

Play Action

Here's a view of actual play on the field. This is zoomed, so this isn't what we saw with the naked eye from our seats, but we could still follow the action without any problem. In fact, when the play was taking place at the other end of the field, we could still see what was happening. It is different from watching it on TV because of all the other activity that is visible.