A Tour of Service & sacrifice
I have returned home from my two weeks of tour the East Coast. I didn't have time to update the blog like I thought I would. Most of the time I was busy from 7am until 1am. Internet connections were usually non-existent or short and sweet. I wish I could have updated you all while I was out there.
If I could sum up my trip into a few words, I would have to say that this was a journey through our nation's protectors and how they have served and have made sacrifices. Never have I spent so much time on hallowed ground. Never have I been nearly completely surrounded and immersed into the past, present, and future of the lives of those who protect the United States. And never have I been so proud to be a part of this family of servants and a citizen of this great country. I have been deeply touched and completely humbled. I could share many pictures with you of my trip, but these are the ones that mean the most to me.
I started my trip in Emmitsburg, MD which is a short drive to Gettysburg. I had a couple of free days on my hands before my meeting with the National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation. I spent most of that free time exploring the battlefields. I took a horseback ride through those battlefields and got to see the view of the land from the soldier's eyes. What a way to look at the historical impact of the Civil War.
This is a photo of myself with my partner from the Texas State Fire Marshal's Line of Duty Death Task Force. It was pretty neat that we were in Emmitsburg at the same time. He was there for a class and ended up sitting in on the meeting that I was invited to. This photo is taken in front of the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial. It's a tribute to those who give their lives protecting the homeland and it's citizens.
When I went to Annapolis for my cousin's graduation, my parents and I spent some the day touring The Mall of Washington DC. We hit the Smithsonian and several of the war memorials.
This is a photo of the flag that was flown on the Pentagon shortly after 9/11.
This is a photo of a piece of one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center. It was haunting for me to see this, knowing that this was part of an object that was used to attack this country and killed 13 friends of mine. 9/11 still affects me to this day. I can never get out of my head the faces of not only the dead firefighters of Ladder 3 but of those who survived.
This is the World War II memorial. It's absolutely breath taking. I think I could have spent at least an hour there.
This is the Korean War memorial. It makes me sad that so many people in this country take our freedom for granted. Freedom is not free and I think many have forgotten this.
Memorial Weekend we visited Arlington National Cemetery. What an incredible site to see the many flag-staked tombstones of selfless individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Rows and rows of white stones with a hint of red, white, and blue flapping in the breeze.
My favorite part and the biggest reason I wanted to visit the cemetery was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. We got there in perfect time. I had the hardest time tearing myself away from that area. I absolutely love honor guards and this is the best of the best. Even after the changing of the guard, just watching the precision and the movements were captivating. I felt both sadness and pride here.
The reason for my trip was to be at my cousin's graduation from the Naval Academy. Many of my family members are currently serving or have served in the military. To watch one more person become prepared to enter into the service was a defining moment. It's a big decision for many of the individuals knowing that they might have to fight in a war that is not popular. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am to be in a family that is willing to step up and protect the lives of Americans.
This trip was meaningful to me in so many ways. I got to visit with family members who I haven't seen in many years. I got to meet new members and hang out with the ones I see regularly. I feel so grateful that God has blessed me with such incredible people that I can call my heroes. I love each and every one of you!
If I could sum up my trip into a few words, I would have to say that this was a journey through our nation's protectors and how they have served and have made sacrifices. Never have I spent so much time on hallowed ground. Never have I been nearly completely surrounded and immersed into the past, present, and future of the lives of those who protect the United States. And never have I been so proud to be a part of this family of servants and a citizen of this great country. I have been deeply touched and completely humbled. I could share many pictures with you of my trip, but these are the ones that mean the most to me.
I started my trip in Emmitsburg, MD which is a short drive to Gettysburg. I had a couple of free days on my hands before my meeting with the National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation. I spent most of that free time exploring the battlefields. I took a horseback ride through those battlefields and got to see the view of the land from the soldier's eyes. What a way to look at the historical impact of the Civil War.
This is a photo of myself with my partner from the Texas State Fire Marshal's Line of Duty Death Task Force. It was pretty neat that we were in Emmitsburg at the same time. He was there for a class and ended up sitting in on the meeting that I was invited to. This photo is taken in front of the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial. It's a tribute to those who give their lives protecting the homeland and it's citizens.
When I went to Annapolis for my cousin's graduation, my parents and I spent some the day touring The Mall of Washington DC. We hit the Smithsonian and several of the war memorials.
This is a photo of the flag that was flown on the Pentagon shortly after 9/11.
This is a photo of a piece of one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center. It was haunting for me to see this, knowing that this was part of an object that was used to attack this country and killed 13 friends of mine. 9/11 still affects me to this day. I can never get out of my head the faces of not only the dead firefighters of Ladder 3 but of those who survived.
This is the World War II memorial. It's absolutely breath taking. I think I could have spent at least an hour there.
This is the Korean War memorial. It makes me sad that so many people in this country take our freedom for granted. Freedom is not free and I think many have forgotten this.
Memorial Weekend we visited Arlington National Cemetery. What an incredible site to see the many flag-staked tombstones of selfless individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Rows and rows of white stones with a hint of red, white, and blue flapping in the breeze.
My favorite part and the biggest reason I wanted to visit the cemetery was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. We got there in perfect time. I had the hardest time tearing myself away from that area. I absolutely love honor guards and this is the best of the best. Even after the changing of the guard, just watching the precision and the movements were captivating. I felt both sadness and pride here.
The reason for my trip was to be at my cousin's graduation from the Naval Academy. Many of my family members are currently serving or have served in the military. To watch one more person become prepared to enter into the service was a defining moment. It's a big decision for many of the individuals knowing that they might have to fight in a war that is not popular. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am to be in a family that is willing to step up and protect the lives of Americans.
This trip was meaningful to me in so many ways. I got to visit with family members who I haven't seen in many years. I got to meet new members and hang out with the ones I see regularly. I feel so grateful that God has blessed me with such incredible people that I can call my heroes. I love each and every one of you!
posted by Wendy at 4:47 PM
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