Wreaths Across America (2009)

Saturday, 12 December 2009

Last year, Michael was involved in the ceremony in Yuma, Arizona. This year it was at the LLano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas.

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.

Cows of the Sky, Littlefield, Texas

Saturday, 28 November 2009

If they call the pilots flying the gliders cowboys, then I will call the gliders cows!

1st time I saw gliders was at the visit at the Southwest Soaring Museum in New Mexico.
I was amazed by the different types of sailplanes and gliders there.

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.

Littlefield Municipal Airport


Caprock Soaring Club




The glider for the afternoon flying


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.

Region 1 Marching Band Contest, Amarillo, Texas

Saturday, 17 October 2009

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 American Veteran's Traveling Tribute in Dumas, Texas

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

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.



Statistics of the various wars

Biggest Bowl of Salad I Have Ever Been Served

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

I was shocked when the waitress delivered my order - Chef's Salad. I was shocked because of the size. It was more than I can eat for a meal. And for the price that we paid ($5 something) I think is reasonable. I ate half and packed the other half home.

Bristow, Oklahoma

Sunday, 20 September 2009

Lovely lake and park. I think if it isn't for the cold air and wind, it would be lovely to sit, walk, run, cycle, have a picnic there.




The Main Street of Bristow, I think.


Bristow High School's Mascot - Purple Pirate

Flowers in Bristow, Oklahoma

Friday, 18 September 2009

It wasn't a flower park but it was too beautiful for me not to take pictures of them.