It was a whole new world to me initially There are 4 seasons. Drive on the right side and not the left side of the road. Unless it is multiway switching, push up the wall switch to turn the light on. What else...................... People are the same when it comes to family values, etc. etc. ..... Come, share with me...... as time goes.
This blog is a continuation from Irene's Big Wonderland (1) - http://renejenny-yuma.blogspot.com
Woke up to see the outside covered with snow the 2nd time this season. 3 weeks ago, on the 8 December 2009, the place was covered with snow as well but it only lasted until noon when the sun came out.
Would you be able to make out the road if you didn't know this area?
This was the picture at 3:35 pm while the above picture was taken at 8:09 am.
They are different and they are both beautiful in their own way.
When we arrived at the Walmart there was only the Coffee Memorial Blood Center vehicle, but when we came out later there was the Moore County Ambulance vehicle. Someone mumured about passing out after donating blood??? I don't know about that remark. Next the fire department vehicle arrived.
At a different location later, there was this truck that parked. While Mike was talking to the driver, I took the opportunity to take a snap of these dogs. The one on the left was oblivious of my presence. He kept his eyes at that direction. I guess he was probably looking out for its beloved master or mistress who had gone into the shop.
Read about the origin of the Wreaths Across America. I felt my eyes teary when Mike's played "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipe at the end of the ceremony. My heart went to those courageous young men and women who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
Major Michael Hull of the Tigershark Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol in Amarillo initiated the ceremony for the first time in Amarillo.
The CAP cadets practising their march and stands before the ceremony
Representatives from the 7 branches standing in line, waiting to receive/lay wreath for their respective branch
Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Army
Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Air Force
Honoring those veterans of the U.S. Coast Guards
Honoring U.S. Prisoners of War or listed as Missing In Action
Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Marine Corps
Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Navy
Honoring WW II veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The monument does not represent the US. Merchant Marine.
This wreath was not part of the ceremony today. It caught my interest.
The U.S. Marine Corps Firing Party
The CAP cadets
The U.S Army flag
The U.S. Air Force Flag
The U.S. Coast Guard flag
The U.S. Marine flag
The U.S. Navy flag
The Civil Air Patrol flag
Something else got my interest - the sweat jackets worn by some of the veterans at the ceremony.
The U.S. army
The U.S. Marine
The shirt of the organiation - U.S. Veterans of Foreign Affairs
Last by not least, I thought this twin CAP cadets were cute, with their mother.
Today I thought I decided to tag along Mike since I have never been to Littlefield (Texas). And I am glad I did because I learnt a little more about gliders.
One of the 2 most common ways of launching the planes - winching. Can you see the wire cable? If not, click on the picture to magnify
The gliders were now in the air. This afternoon they only soared for a few minutes. That I understood because of the lack of strong thermal. I thought it was like flying a paper kite - the paper kite representing the glider.
Another method of launching is the aerotowing, whereby the glider is launched by a powered aircraft.
Someone asked if I would like to go for a ride in the glider. Maybe I would one day.
It was a university interscholastic league region 1 marching contest held at the Dick Bivins stadium in Amarillo, Texas.
Started off with the 1st bank from Stratford High School at 10:00 am.
Followed by the Wellington High School
This was what we came to support. The band from Sunray High School where Michelle and Joshua were performing.
We left after the Sunray High School had performed. I would love to stay and watch because this is my first experience, but I have to follow the gang. I think paying $5 for admission just to enter and support our Sunray High School is a little wasteful for me. And Sunray High School was only the 3rd band playing that morning! Well, I guess the gang is used to this kind of content and I should be happy that I got that opportunity to watch 3 bands.
There were 6 classes of bands. There were 12 "A" bands, 9 "AA" bands, 3 "AAA" bands, 7 "AAAA" bands and 2 "AAAAA" bands. There are altogether 33 bands in the contest.
The 1st "A" band (Stratford HS) performed at 10:00 am and the last "AAAAA" band (Amarillo HS) was scheduled to perform at 8:30 pm.
The past week has been nice. There was the bearable wind but not as windy as today. That really made it colder. But it didn't stop us from visiting The American Veteran's Travel Tribute that was held at the Dumas Museum ground (which was stated in the leaflet as Window on the Plains Mueum).
Look at the flags flying like mad - this is before the ceremony started.
This was after the ceremony. The wind is still there but somehow the flags are lying nicely now! Visitors looking at The Wall.
With the help of the computer, Mike and Mum was able to locate the name of a loved one who have died in the Vietnam war. Billy Joe Clayborn was killed on the 12 Marh 1968, at the age of 32.
