Posted on 09/21/2012 7:17:37 AM PDT by hoosiermama
The Trip to DC Agape’, love never ending, every need and desire fulfilled. That special love God gives to us and asks us to shower on each other. I experience agape once on an Emmaus Walk, but observing it showered on my father was beyond word, but here’s a humble attempt.
As many of you know, dad’s health is failing. When it became possible for him to travel to Washington DC to see the WWII memorial he had contributed to and read about, we jumped at the opportunity.
Honor Flight-Bluegrass took care of the transportation, food, souvenir part of the trip. A wonderful foundation on which the agape tribute to our WWII vets is built upon. This trip was made possible by the Kentucky Colonials. A group Rev Peyton is a part. The greeters: troops, individuals volunteers, messages on each leg of the journey was epic. Some seemed heaven sent: My son, who travels the world in a country blues band, sent his love from San Antonio, Texas where they were playing. San Antonio was where dad was first stationed, and where he first heard of HIS father’s heart attack which took his life.
Our plane and bus was met at every stop with unknown faces showing appreciation. BUT, when we pulled into the WWII memorial there stood my niece, her husband and their two children from Pennsylvania. They thought sharing the memories, time and shared values of our countries history with great-grandpa was a more important lesson then anything they might learn from books, computers or fellow teachers. THEN appearing out of nowhere was my belove-ed baby sister, who drove hundreds of miles from Michigan just to spend a few precious moments to honor her father. Unexpected –yes. Surprised? Nothing surprises me with her love and support of family (six children) .
No mention of rank or position during the day, except when dad reached out to touch the oak leaf on the collar of the camo the young man kneeling before him. Then they talked about where they had been and/or where they were heading (Seven deployments for one. One long four year deployment for the other) OTOH there was the beautiful young Kentucky native who welcomed us to DC: A mother, a cyber-expert…. a General.
Things have certainly changed in the military. We befriended a young woman named Dawn (Her personality reminded me of a Dawn many of you knew) She brought her mother, and a picture of her mother wearing her Wave uniform. Her mom still had the beautiful smile and twinkle in her eye that radiated from the picture. It reminded me of the story of mom’s smile that greeted dad upon his return. That smile culminated in my birth. Heaven: being greeted by faces we know and unknown face. Upon returning to Louisville airport there were at least a thousand of those faces: families, military, young/older, color guards/small individual flags smile/tears. So many words of appreciation and greeting of “welcome home soldier”
At Baltimore airport, arriving and departing there were lines of young soldiers who formed a gauntlet. At one point my eyes looked at the name of “Hunter” written on the name tag. Those of you in Brownstown will know its significance. We had a day filled with memorials: The gold stars at the WWII, the haunting faces at the Korean Memorial, the flag being raised on a rock in the middle of an ocean by a few brave men. BUT more importantly we have memories.
Dad’s going to be ninety three in January. When we were told of his latest health issues he reminded me: No funeral , no memorial; memories now. Celebrate life now! So we live our life to the fullest. We share our love. Pay tribute to our heritage and bring honor to our fathers and mothers. In doing so we do our part as the Body of Christ and share its never ending all-embracing agape’ love. It only takes a spark: Pass It On!
PS What do you do when you find twenty dollars on the floor of a bus full of WWII Vets? Add to it and buy ice cream!!!!!!
Yesterday’s trip.
What a wonderful post! So glad you had a chance to make this incredible memory with your beloved father, who you have been so devoted to and tender in your selfless service and care! I am so happy for you and your dad sweet hoosiermama. I am tearing up just reading about the wonderful people who made it all possible.
Post of the day!! Thank you for the ping.
Thank you for reminding us of America. It’s blurred, it’s bruised and much of it has been shattered, yet still, it is America.
Through my tears, thank you for posting this. I’m so thrilled and joyful for your cherished Dad and for you, too, dearest hoosiermama. He served his country honorably and men like him still remember and love our country now, and as it once was and men like him and others, know its goodness and it’s that goodness which must be restored.
God bless and keep him and everyone he loves and that includes you, hoosiermama and also Sarah palin!
Through my tears, thank you for posting this. I’m so thrilled and joyful for your cherished Dad and for you, too, dearest hoosiermama. He served his country honorably and men like him still remember and love our country as it once was and now; and men like him and others, know its goodness and it’s that goodness which must be restored.
God bless and keep him and everyone he loves and that includes you, hoosiermama and also Sarah Palin!
Please read number Post #6. I was correcting #5 with a phone in my other hand and the dang thing posted.
Thank you for the moving and patriotic post, Hoosiermama.
Leni
The screen was blurry the entire time it took to read your beautiful post. Honor and glory and eternal gratitude to all our wonderful vets who have preserved and protected our beloved Country and to those who are doing so now. What a Blessing that you and your family were able to be a part of this magnificent experience. And how Blessed you are to still have your Dad!
The Honor Flight and VetsRoll are two organizations providing such a valuable service.
After seeing the faces in the Louisville airport upon our return, there is a glimmer of hope that the Eagle WILL rise again. She has seen tough times before, but we each need to be Rosy Riveters and do our part.
Thank you for posting this touching recount of the trip!
God bless your Dad and your family!
Dad just woke up. He slept twelve hours straight through. He said he fell asleep with tears thinking “God Bless America” and woke up with tears thinking: “God has blessed America, and his family. May it continue to be so!”
He is truly a remarkable role model and we are blessed to have him as the head of the family.
Thank you so much for sharing such a blessed experience. I’m going to save it to my faith, hope and love folder!
<:-*))
Party smiley!
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