Tag: Memorials

Honorable Trip

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© jb katke all rights reserved

A trip not soon forgotten—and I could not go. But oh, the memories made!

My husband Dave took advantage of the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. compliments of the Kansas Honor Flight for veterans. For those who may need assistance, volunteer guardians are provided. Veterans get a free ride, but if a friend or relative comes as a guardian there is a price tag.

Dave invited our son Jamie, and all concerned are so happy for the experience. Jamie claims, “It was the trip of a lifetime.”  Father and son are already close, but I feel some serious bonding took place.

Because Kansans came from all over the state, departure was centrally located in Wichita.

It was an action-packed three-day tour. The first stop was at Ft. McHenry, where they learned the hymn The Star Spangled Banner was born in 1814 by Frances Scott Key. Other sites of interest were:

  •  Eisenhower Memorial, 
  • Air Force Memorial-Spirit Flight
  • Korean War Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Changing of the Guard
  • A Wreath Ceremony
  • A Tour of the Iwo Jima Memorial
  • World War II Memorial
  • Tour of the Navy Memorial

The experience was enlightening as well as humbling. Landing in D.C. before the vets even disembarked the plane, two fire trucks gave a ‘waterful’ salute. As the group walked through the concourse, everyone clapped and cheered for these men and women that had so bravely served their country.

Included in an evening celebration, was the especially meaningful mail call back in their time of service. We, back at home were given the opportunity to send a note or card of honor and appreciation to our soldier. It was a touching moment for all attendees.

Returning home, the weary travelers were greeted with a bagpiper escort though the concourse. One more all-important item to mention is these trips are open to vets nationwide— taking place in the spring and fall each year. If you are a veteran or know of one who would like the experience you can find details at www.info@kansashonorflight.org.

No Staycation

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Are your vacations via the posts of others on Facebook? That would be me.

This year though, we did a little travelin.’ It started out as business, with a conference I attended, but we took the scenic way home.

Our first stop was Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Thought I was gonna die there. The heat was unbearable for this Michigan girl with British blood. We found it best for me to enter lots of shops for the air conditioning.

A dangerous thing for a vacationer to do, shop. I came home with the most expensive purse I have ever owned. Remembering whatever we purchase must find a place to fit in a down-sized home is essential. Keeping in mind too, when moving to my eternal home, nothing comes with me helps too.

Continuing homeward we landed in Branson, also in Missouri. We encountered the Veteran’s Memorial Museum. I recommend visiting any of the Veterans memorials as they ooze so much information about a life not everyone has experienced. Considering what we hear in the news, I am not confident our children are getting historical facts of our country.

© jb katke

Memorials of all kinds are essential. More about that another time.  

We willingly endured a sales talk concerning time share vacation apartments. It wasn’t our first experience. Knowing what we set ourselves up for was worth getting a show at seventy-five percent off, plus a fifty-dollar gift card. A heads up for you, those salespeople don’t take no easily.

Traveling on, I noticed with pleasure the differences in locales. We passed a restaurant under construction. The site bore signs announcing the coming of a Schlotsky’s. At home we learn which bank is funding the build and who the construction company is. I don’t care about that, just let me know what’s coming.

We encountered minimal road construction, as opposed to enduring it everywhere in Johnson County. One can count on that every summer. All this to say we had safe travel and made some good memories. © jb katke

Travel is nice, but there is no place like home. Where the responsibilities lie. Reality bites but I cannot tell you how wonderful DVR’s are. It’s petty thing, but watching TV in the hotels and having to set through commercials are a pain. The commercials seem to run longer than the show itself.

Sleeping in our own bed is priceless. Settling down in our easy chair at home without sinking down to the bare wood frame is appreciated as well. Take a deep breath, enjoy where you are, vacation or no.

Seek joy wherever you can because I am convinced when settling into our eternal home, it’s gonna feel just as good.