My Life, my photography, my passions
Today I’m venturing outside, there are many Christmas scenes in our small town of Elmwood NE (pop. 787) that I’m going to try and capture as many as I can before the season is over. These Candy Canes grace the fence in front of the town apartments. They were so festive I had to stop. (expect night pictures when the fence is lit.)
Moving to another section of my Christmas tree brings me to another memory. When I was about 10 years old, my Mother and I sat at the kitchen table and assembled wooden ornaments together. We then proceeded to paint and add glitter.
The result was about a dozen ornaments crafted with love, that have been passed down and grace my tree every year.It was the beginning of my journey into crafts and creating Christmas memories.
As a new Mother of a Marine, my thoughts take a different turn on Veterans Day. I think it’s because it’s now close to home and I find myself worrying in advance of what lies ahead. The potential of the biggest sacrifice that can be made for our country is now personal. It’s my sons. Yes, plural. My youngest son, still in high school decided that the United States Marine Corps is his calling.
Memories of my Father are particularly strong now. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korea Conflict. He never spoke of war, not that I can remember, and his service papers were lost when we arrived home on New Years at Times Square. So, I have sent to the National Personnel Records Center for his service records to share with his grandchildren.
I’m also thankful for living in small town community with Midwestern traditions. Unlike other parts of the country, our schools take time to honor our veterans by inviting them to the school and honoring them with celebrations. I attended two such programs today, one at the high school and the other at the elementary.
Lieutenant Colonel Rick Gray was the speaker from the Nebraska National Guard. The choir and band sang and played in honor of those who bravely served in the armed forces past and present. It was very moving to listen to over 125 elementary children sing “Bless Our Troops”. It’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.
The students from Elmwood-Murdock High School march down Constitution Avenue in Washington DC for a once in a lifetime event they will never forget. They received the invitation because of the numerous awards they had won in marching band competitions such as Harvest of Harmony.
Record temperatures were recorded in Washington DC that weekend, and the black uniforms made it a challenge for the kids, but they endured over an hour of marching like troopers. Again, congratulations to everyone. For more information and pictures visit my original post on the Washington DC trip.
Memorial Day weekend is special in any part of the country, but Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC is something not to be missed. The patriotism and overwhelming sense of pride and country as Americans gather to honor our military veterans who died fighting for freedom and liberty brings a tear to your eye as you wreaths are placed at every memorial.
Whoever says that small schools don’t give their students opportunities that bigger schools can offer has never heard of Elmwood-Murdock High School. Our whole school district, K-12 has only 403 students, and an average graduating class of 36 kids. But this has not held them back.
The band consists of over 70 students (3/4 of the student body) and in 2010 they had the opportunity to march in the Memorial Day parade and spend Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC. I was lucky to be a sponsor and the trip was nothing short of spectacular. In just 4 1/2 days we took over 80 people to the following locations
Our kids learned important lessons that weekend. Many family member serve in the military and the Vietnam Wall held special meaning for them. Tears were shed, and by the time our students placed a wreath at Arlington Cemetery there wasn’t a dry eye in the group.
My son was especially impressed by the World War II Memorial and I watched him quietly stare at the wall of stars. He asked about his grandfather and other relatives that served during WWII. That son is now a United States Marine and I couldn’t be prouder.
Photographing Washington D.C. Digital Field Guide
25 Bicycle Tours In and Around Washington, D. C.: From National Monuments to Country Roads (25 Bicycle Tours)Holocaust Museum In WashingtonArlington National Cemetery: A Guided Tour Through History (Timeline)
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If you ever get the chance to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC I would highly recommend it, take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and be proud of our country.
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National CemeteryMrs. Lee’s Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery Became My ClassroomAdministrative Guide To Information and Burial At Arlington National Cemetery
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Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend in Washington, DC
‘Blessing of the Bikes’ Set for Friday at National Cathedral …
