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Unless Obammy gets his rear out of Marthas Vinyard by Saturday afternoon, the surge may take care of removing him from the next ballot. I know, for I was there about 10+ years ago w/my late wife (as another hurricane hit) and we escaped to the mainland on the last big ferry out (talk about rock & roll) before they shut it down.

Ah yes...Good Night Irene. That was a great song, but, alas, this Irene is heading my way on Sunday. I’ve been through enough of hurricanes before to be very respectful.

Thanks for the info; I’ll try to see “V” if my computer work (it’s running slowly again) is cleared up. Tell everyone to keep the snow shovels handy..no matter where they live(smile).

Just saw their pix together on the Dose..in London..meeting w/Gordon

Lovely graphic.. I for one would have preferred a beach shot in summer (snow is a bit old already here)

good work as always meg

Pinging Lysie.. Hey sweetie.. here is your state.Thought you would want to check in.

Oh Gee Bee.. what a great thread just jammed packed with great information & graphics. I have a full plate but will go to links tonight after Bible study & Hopefully visit with everyone a bit.

I will see if I can dig up a few of my pix early to share here from the areas I get to (mostly I have several threads to do yet for state threads & must make a point to try to have one for next Wednesday..goals are helpful for me

Now I will prolly need Billie to refresh my memory of what I so boldly volunteered for..(was that after the second margarita?)

I know Ohio w/Dutchess.. we can maybe do that one after Easter.. but I think I have 2 or three others..

Just saw movie Cloverfield .. filmed in the big Apple.. not a film for everyone .. well, actually probably NOT a movie for MOST here.

Thanks to all of you for your blessings and concern. RE. my teeth, as we GI’s said in the reception center’s barber chair, “what’s done is done” as our shaggy locks fell to the floor. Pain sure I had/have pain, but the hard thing was I had to avoid all those nice chewy foods everyone provided us and had to cope w/more liquid/moist things, but...oh well.

Thank you for your observation. Ours is a great country to serve. Wheelbarrow

Thanks for your appreciation...We did it for wonderful folks like you. Wheelbarrow

Thanks for your good wishes. I hope he gets to make one of those flights. Wheelbarrow

I/we sure did...thanks for your comment. Wheelbarrow

Thanks for your comment. I and my fellow vets had a job to do and we did it...for all of you/us.

Thanks to you and all the other nice folks who greeted/cheered us; it was “the icing on the cake.” We all should give Dolly a BIG accolade for all those pictures she took, and the time it took her to process them into what you see...God Bless Her and all the Honor Flight volunteers and donors who made this trip, and future trips, possible.

THE HONOR FLIGHT TRIP ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2007.
William Barrows (Wheelbarrow)

FORWARD: This is a moment-by moment reprise of my memorable trip, provided at no expense, by Honor Flight to all WWII veterans , to see their memorial, as well as other war memorials, in Washington DC. It was truly a memorable day.
Now on to the journey.

Getting up at 3:00 AM is not my usual routine but this was to be a special day and I had to get ready to drive to the Akron-Canton Airport to be checked in at 6:00 AM.

Arriving there on time I was greeted by a sheriff’s deputy (assigned there for security purposes) in a most friendly manner; he pointed to where I was to check in. There it was a very effusive group who processed me very quickly, gave me a bag of “breakfast goodies” and coffee and asked how I was feeling and did I need a wheelchair; I declined on the chair but, on the advice of my good friend, Dolly Howard, told them I’d appreciate one in Washington.. I walked over to the ramp and was surprised to find a large cheering group greeting us as we marched up the ramp toward the plane. On board the USAirways plane a most friendly (total) crew greeted me and showed me to my seat on this Airbus plane. The leader of Honor Flight, Earl Morse and his family joined us. We took off right on the 8:00 departure time, and were served another breakfast on board. Later I was told the crews bid for the honor of this and returning flights. This was to be a memorable trip!

Landing right on time at the Regan International Airport our plane was “washed down” by the Fire Dept., in a ceremony we were told is reserved for visiting international dignitaries, and outside the plane by almost 100 cheering ground crew folks before we even got to the ramp. Coming down the ramp into the airport w were again, surprisingly, greeted by a large crowd of cheering people, and the Honor Flight Guardians (all volunteers); one of them came over to me w/a wheelchair and said she was to be mine for all day…“off we go…“ to a big specially-outfitted bus for wheelchairs. I got off the wheelchair and got on the bus in the usual way…I wasn’t that disabled!

Our trip took us first to the beautiful WWII monument where we disembarked and roamed/wheel chaired around its vast expanse and gardens (I later learned that, by law, no private monies can go into the building of monuments (they’re designed privately, of course). Happily, the designer of this beautiful memorial, just happened to be roaming it’s gardens and was corralled into giving a little talk on what went into the decision to build it, how he was selected, etc. Another lucky break was that Sen. Bob Dole, himself a badly wounded and still semi-disabled veteran, came upon the scene and greeted and took pictures w/us. The weather was absolutely beautiful but getting hotter by the minute (it eventually got into the muggy mid 90’s). the Wendy’s restaurant chain then provided us w/free box lunches.

We then boarded the bus again to head to the Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial and Vietnam Memorial. At this point we were given the option of disembarking the bus to tour these memorials on foot (I had seen the Lincoln Memorial before several times) so elected to stay on the air-conditioned bus to take a tour of downtown Washington (pass by a number of the operations buildings of our government up to the Capitol Building and back to the rest of our group). Interestingly, for security reasons, a two-block area all around the White House is blocked off. At commuting time on weekdays this has created monster traffic jams. I’ve been told.

We next headed for the Iwo Jima Memorial where we disembarked for a group photo. Because buses cannot go into the Arlington National Cemetery nor near the Roosevelt Memorial (originally planned) we went by the periphery of The Arlington National Cemetery and headed to Mount Vernon for dinner at the Old Country Buffet. We then headed past George Washington’s home (too late to go in) and back to Regan International Airport.. I figured the cheering crowds would long have gone home but, no, there they were again; the ramp up to the plane was all decorated in patriotic colors, and again we were greeted by another enthusiastic crew. We then took off right on time (8:00 PM) and were served coffee and soft drinks once aloft.

Arriving back at the A-C Airport right on time about 9:15 I figured everyone had gone to bed or were out partying, but no, here they were again…there was even a neat high-school age band whooping up a storm. Airport personnel were everywhere helping out. We were then given passes to the parking lot. My friend Dolly even drove down to take pictures of the arrival; probably you may see them in her accompanying article.

The end to perfect day. Bill

Your info here does me extreme honor. Actually the flight to DC and back exceeded my fondest anticipation. Earl Morse and his staff (including mostly volunteers) couldn't do enough for us to be sure we could see our Memorial and others. We were made to feel like heroes (including a ceremonial “wash down” (given only to important visiting foreign dignitaries) as we taxied to the Regan Terminal. It is sad to note but statistics say many of us will not be around at this time next year, so the honor given us seemed overwhelming. The weather was beautiful; large crowds turned out to cheer us at many points along the way...even Sen. Bob Dole, himself a badly wounded veteran, turned out to greet us individually. I can only hope that fellow FRKeepers may find it in their ability to contribute something to Honor Flight, for after the WWII vets have been transported, the organization moves on to the Korean, then the Vietnam, etc. It should be noted that, veterans of any war who are deemed “terminal” soon, can “step to the front of the line.” Honor Flight is expanding across our nation so you may now/soon have a chapter in your area. Finally, I, and lots of others of you, are deeply indebted to FRKeeper, Dolly Howard, for helping me to get this honor. Funny thing about this “hero business”: at the time we were “just doing our job” under miserable conditions, and to be so honored like this is fantastic, and I must publicly thank Dolly for her unselfish help along the way

My father was a “colonial” church architect specializing in restorations; churches, such as this, were often inspirations for churches he designed (I spent many hours w/him as he precisely measured these old treasures). Bil

As a person born and raised in Massachusetts (and a historical/government “buff” on the State), I’d like to congratulate you on a most complete and accurate presentation. You might add THAYER ACADEMY in Braintree was founded by Gen. Sylvanus Thayer (first Superintendent of West Point). The first FACTORY in our colonies (now a historical site)was over the Neponset River (so it could get power) between Milton and Dorchester; for years, before new owners more recently closed it, it was the place Bakers Chocolate came from. DR, GODDARD(the rocket man) was a professor at CLARK UNIV. at the time he developed the rocket. HARVARD COLLEGE was written into the (still existing) CONSTITUTION of the State. The FIRST RAILROAD in the colonies ran between a granite quarry in W. Quincy and the Neponset River so blocks could be transported to Charlestown to build the BUNKER HILL MONUMENT; parts of the railroad (iron slabs) still exist as a historical site. Great job on your part Bill

I served inn the ETO (UK, France, Belgium, Germany...and also covered assignments to the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy...and passed by, and saw, Lichtenstein). I was in combat, and injured, w/the 26th Inf. Div in the Alsace. After being released from the hospital in England I joined the 9th AF Service Command in a support function.

A wonderful tribute. As a fellow "vet" (but a few years his junior) I would have been proud to have known and respected him. He sounds like "my kind of guy." While I went to the ETO, I can attest his was a most important job in the Pacific even if he was bored; if you didn't have PURE WATER to drink...you DIED!

Notwithstanding I am featured in it, this report is one of the most complete synopsis of WWII I have ever seen. There have been a lot of books and articles written over the years but this tells it all as it was...I know; I was there! The items about us who fought, the background to the War itself and the corollary items on how it affected the civilians back home represent, to me, a monumental effort.
YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED AND APPLAUDED!