I hope what I write here is received in the spirit intended and I can articulate what I felt on the trip. Tough assignment for an Idaho farmboy with less education than many of the readers.
Last weekend my wife, oldest daughter, and I flew to Virginia to participate in the blessing of my middle daughter's first child. A beautiful little girl. While there we visited a number of the memorials and sites in D.C. as well as a personal tour by my daughter of the capital. She works for a congressman and is a wonderful tour guide.
Three times I was deeply touched. The baby blessing, holocaust museum, and the plaque on the wall of the capital where we exited.
Holocaust museum-
I am incapable of understanding how a group of people can become so evil and past feeling that they would allow, scheme, and execute the methodical dehumanization and extermination of other fellow human beings. The group responsible for the brainwashing of many good people and especially the youth is an ugly dark spot in history. I have some dear friends in Germany.Austria, and Switzerland, wonderful kind people. They are who I think of when I think about these countries and believe they are representative of the people of their countries. One of the displays is shoes that were taken from the prisoners some large some small. I could picture my children in those shoes. With all the tragedy and misery therein displayed I was equally touched by the rescuers wall. Many names from many countries who risked their lives and some lost their lives hiding, helping, and saving the various groups targeted for cleansing including but not limited to Jews, mentally ill, Jehovah's Witnesses, Asians, and Blacks. As I finished the tour it occurred to me that under the Nazi policy four of my children and possibly my wife would have been among the numbered. I couldn't speak for 15 minutes.
Capital tour- Beautiful art work, stories, and history abound within those walls and my daughter was a terrific guide. At the exit is a memorial plaque to those on the plane that was intended for the Capital or White House on 9-11. I started to read the names and when I got to Todd Beamer's name I choked up as I remembered his phone call to his wife and his final recorded words-let's roll. Those names represent true heroes. Another 15 minute lump in the throat.
Baby Blessing- What a contrast to ponder the miracle of birth and a new spirit entering the world full of promise and potential. I wish for her a long, happy, and peaceful life.
This is a little unusual for me. I believe those that know me will confirm that I tend to be a bit quiet, laid back, light hearted and even keel.
My gratitude to those who went before including my father -WWII, those currently in service including my son-in-law- Syria, and those in the future. Also to those who love and support them and all others in the service of their fellowman-law enforcement, public servants, firemen, ..............
Last weekend my wife, oldest daughter, and I flew to Virginia to participate in the blessing of my middle daughter's first child. A beautiful little girl. While there we visited a number of the memorials and sites in D.C. as well as a personal tour by my daughter of the capital. She works for a congressman and is a wonderful tour guide.
Three times I was deeply touched. The baby blessing, holocaust museum, and the plaque on the wall of the capital where we exited.
Holocaust museum-
I am incapable of understanding how a group of people can become so evil and past feeling that they would allow, scheme, and execute the methodical dehumanization and extermination of other fellow human beings. The group responsible for the brainwashing of many good people and especially the youth is an ugly dark spot in history. I have some dear friends in Germany.Austria, and Switzerland, wonderful kind people. They are who I think of when I think about these countries and believe they are representative of the people of their countries. One of the displays is shoes that were taken from the prisoners some large some small. I could picture my children in those shoes. With all the tragedy and misery therein displayed I was equally touched by the rescuers wall. Many names from many countries who risked their lives and some lost their lives hiding, helping, and saving the various groups targeted for cleansing including but not limited to Jews, mentally ill, Jehovah's Witnesses, Asians, and Blacks. As I finished the tour it occurred to me that under the Nazi policy four of my children and possibly my wife would have been among the numbered. I couldn't speak for 15 minutes.
Capital tour- Beautiful art work, stories, and history abound within those walls and my daughter was a terrific guide. At the exit is a memorial plaque to those on the plane that was intended for the Capital or White House on 9-11. I started to read the names and when I got to Todd Beamer's name I choked up as I remembered his phone call to his wife and his final recorded words-let's roll. Those names represent true heroes. Another 15 minute lump in the throat.
Baby Blessing- What a contrast to ponder the miracle of birth and a new spirit entering the world full of promise and potential. I wish for her a long, happy, and peaceful life.
This is a little unusual for me. I believe those that know me will confirm that I tend to be a bit quiet, laid back, light hearted and even keel.
My gratitude to those who went before including my father -WWII, those currently in service including my son-in-law- Syria, and those in the future. Also to those who love and support them and all others in the service of their fellowman-law enforcement, public servants, firemen, ..............