Memorial Day

As another Memorial Day is upon us I can't help but feel the wave of patriotism wash over me.  You see not only was my dad a Vietnam veteran with a purple heart, but, my step-father was a nearly 30 year veteran of the Air Force and retired as a Lt. Col.  The older I get the more pride I have in our country and all who serve it.
I sat with my family tonight and watched the Memorial Day concert on PBS, a beautiful showing of patriotism by war heros, celebrities, singers, politicians and many more.  As I remembered back on the life of my step-father I remembered the day after he died.  You see he was a very proud Airmen and at his funeral, I and my mother knew he would want to be buried in that beautiful blue Airforce uniform.  Unfortunately we were not able to find the blue shirt that went underneath the jacket.  I was in a daze at the shock of his loss and I was unsure what to do. A friend recommended I go to the recruiting station. I did, and what I found there was a true blessing. Recalling it to this day causes tears of pride.
A young man not more than 25 was manning the recruiting station (a position my step-father held in his early days of service). I went in not even sure what to say and slowly I explained my situation...he asked me to wait for a moment and he went to the back of the office.  When he returned he was wearing only a white undershirt. He explained that he called his wife and asked her to bring him a new shirt. He also said that he had read of my loss and was honored to help.
It seems so small, it wasn't to me.
There are no words to express the thanks I have for the freedom I am given. I say thank you.

Lt. Col. Elmer L. Alderfer now rests with his brothers and sisters of service in Arlington National Cemetary. His grave is between the Airforce Memorial and the Pentagon(his previous place of employment). I miss him everyday.

Let the blog begin....

Everybody's doing it, right.

For the few who care about our ever growing family I'm going to try to do occasional posts to keep those few informed.

As anyone who reads this knows we have 2 great girls, Isabella 10 and Lily 1. I look at these two and realize I am soooo lucky!

First Birthday

Recently I went on a field trip with Isabella to the home of our 3rd president Mr. Jefferson. I had the best time and as we were leaving we were walking by the family graveyard of the Jefferson's and I saw the sweetest little boy from my group. Just quietly kneeling in prayer next to a cemetery full of people he's only read about. I don't know him or his parents personally, but I was touched at this little moment. Not to mention he didn't think twice about this public display of faith, even in front of his classmates or other passing adults.  

So that's all I have for now. Have a great holiday weekend.