NOV 11, 21 .. VETERAN'S DAY IN THE UNITED STATES

VETERAN'S DAY IN THE UNITED STATES  

We honor and we salute all veterans, living and dead, present and past, who have served in the United States Military Service.

To usher in Veteran's Day, on a snowy November 11th here in Alaska, we had our first major snow of the Winter.

From our front door at 4 o'clock A.M.

At 10:45A.M.

From our front door at 4 o'clock A.M.

At 10:45A.M.

From our living room window at 4 o'clock A.M.

At 10:45A.M.

In honor of all of our veterans !

Cap and Patti

Just in case you read this Post earlier today, you did not see it fully completed. After publishing it at 4:38A.M. in Alaska, I updated it with the photos taken at 10:45A.M. here in Alaska.

MAY 18, 21 .. YUMA, ARIZONA .. ARMED FORCES PARK

 I am proud that in my immediate family (my father, myself, my two sons) we have served in five of the United States Armed Services.

My father served in the U.S. Coast Guard. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps (enlisted) and the U.S. Navy (commissioned officer), my eldest son served in the U.S. Army and my youngest son served in the U.S. Air Force.

Patti's father and older brother also served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Navy.

As a result, when I am traveling, both here in the United States as well as when I am out of the country, I seek out and visit local memorials to armed services veterans and pay my respects to those who served.

So, when Patti and I visit Yuma, we also visit the Yuma Armed Forces Park.

It is a very pleasant memorial.

The below two photos look back at the above area from across the park. The gray benches (above and below) will orient you to the three photos.

Since I have lived in Yuma, I have considered having a plaque with my name and service dated placed in the Yuma Armed Forces Park. 

With Reverence To Those Who Served ..

Cap and Patti

APR 30, 21 .. YUMA, ARIZONA .. YUMA ARMED FORCES PARK

I am very proud of the fact that, beginning with my father who served in the United States Coast Guard, continuing with myself who served as an enlisted member of the United States Marine Corps and later as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy as a member of the Seabees, then down to my eldest son who served in the United States Army and finally my youngest son who served in the United States Air Force, three generations of my family served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.

As a result, even when outside of the United States, I seek out and visit Military Memorials.

I lived briefly here in Yuma, Arizona, back in late 1963 into early 1964, so visiting the Yuma Armed Forces Park is very special for me.

Finally, I must add that both Patti's father and her eldest brother served honorably in the United States Navy.

Looking back at the above entrance area from within the Park.

Into the Park we now walk.

A beautiful late Spring afternoon here in Yuma, Arizona. 

We salute all who served our nation.

Cap and Patti

JUL 24, 14 .. THE ALASKA VETERAN'S MONUMENT ..

The Parks Highway is one of Alaska's major roads. The highway runs basically north and south between Anchorage Alaska and Fairbanks Alaska.  At one-mile intervals along the highway are 'mileposts' indicating where you are along the highway.  The mileposts begin at the Anchorage end of the highway and continue numbering upwards until Fairbanks is reached.

The Alaska Veterans Memorial is located at milepost 147 of the Parks Highway.  With no exception .. when I am traveling the 'Parks' .. winter .. summer .. spring .. or fall .. clear weather or winter snow and cold .. and all weather in between .. I stop at the Alaska Veteran's Monument to pay homage to our veteran's.

The below two roads are named appropriately ..

The grounds are peaceful and beautiful ..

The Visitor's Center is shown below ..

And below is the Alaska Veterans Memorial itself ..

IF at this point .. you turn 180 degrees around .. you will see the view that the above 'military scout' and Patti are perusing ..

Now we will go forward .. walking past our military scout we enter the Memorial site proper ..

 

 

Now looking first to the right side of the Memorial .. we see the United States Coast Guard .. 

My father served in the Coast Guard ..

My youngest son David .. served in the Air Force ..

I served as a commissioned officer in the Navy Seabee's ..

Prior to serving with the Seabees's .. I served as an enlisted member of the Marine Corps ..

My eldest son Robb .. served with the Army ..

These three generations (my father, myself and my two sons) of my family served in each of the five military services.

I have a very personal tradition that I perform on each and every visit here.  Starting on the right with the Coast Guard plaque in front of me .. and then moving one-by-one to the left .. Air Force .. Navy .. Marine Corps .. and Army .. I stand 'at-attention' and formally salute each service .. stating as I do so .. "Ladies and Gentlemen .. Officers and Men .. of the United States Coast Guard .. I salute you!" .. formally and crisply.   

Patti's father served with the Navy and the Merchant Marine ..



The Alaska National Guard is also honorably recognized.

How nice it was that .. as Patti and I traveled the Parks Highway up to Fairbanks and home again to Anchorage .. we enjoyed yet another profound visit to the Alaska Veterans Memorial.