Remembering and Honoring our Veterans

Today America remembers and gives appreciation to it's Veterans.  I am proud of the service of my Father, my Husband, my Father-in-law, my uncles and cousins and all my ancestors back to those who served in the American Revolution.  These brave men and women who supported them and nursed them and sometimes fought alongside of them.  Thank you for your service and our freedom.  My Dad Wally served in the Marines in WWII.  

This young and gentle farm boy went in on the first wave at Iwo Jima with about 240 of his company, only 17 walked out unwounded and alive.  What he saw there in the trenches for weeks traumatized him.  Had he not returned, I would not be here.  My uncle Fred put together this shadow box of medals he earned during his service.  

Here is my dear husband Dayle.  He served in the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer, a helicopter pilot, in Vietnam.  He was shot in the femur while flying a combat mission near Khe Sanh when he was just 20 years old.  It was amazing that he was able to set his helicopter down with only one useable leg.  His bravery saved himself and two crew members.

Our daughter Amy put together this shadow box of Dayle's medals and mementos.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart and others.  The only things he brought home were what was in his pockets as he was medivaced out to the hospital ship after he was injured - so he only had his dog-tags around his neck and some Vietnamese money.

Dayle's father Ralph served in the Army during the latter part of WWII.  He was lucky and did not see any combat, he worked in the Army post office in the Philippines.

Our annual meeting of the Friends of Multnomah Falls was a nice event.  I walked out on the patio and snapped this photo of the falls.

I looked down on the patio floor and saw many "Big Leaf Maple" leaves - they really are huge, the size of a dinner plate or bigger.

We've been enjoying our wood pellet stove.. I do adore radiant heat.

Kristi came upon Simba sitting by the back door and snapped a few photos.  He's obviously feeling more at home here.  She feeds him many times a day.

I converted one of my last photos of him into a Waterlogue print.  He's so cute.

We had planned to drive my red and white Ford Flex in the Veteran's Day parade today, but Dayle suffered from a stomach virus overnight so we had to stay home.  It was raining all morning but it cleared up and got sunny by the time the parade was to start, which I was happy to hear for those who were in the parade.  So, I hope you give a good thought to all veterans from around the globe who serve to keep all of us safe and free.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)