Welcome to this Friday’s writing. The theme chosen for the Writers this week is Heroes. There are some very creative and astute writers in our group. I know you will enjoy reading their posts on the subject so I have included links to their weblogs. Please click on their names for some enjoyable reading. Ashok, Conrad, Grannymarr, Magpie, Marianna , Rummuser,. Gaelikaa., Helen, Judy

I am glad that we are writing about heroes this week. As many of you know, I have just returned from a week long trip to Washington D.C. America’s Capitol and home to the many Memorials of America’s patriots and heroes.

The reason for the trip was the 20th reunion of the United States Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Columbia University, New York City, New York. There were 26 Classes (1941 to 1945) at Columbia and I was attended the reunion as the proud wife of one of the members of the 26th and last class to receive their Ensign, USNR commissions there.

This Alumni Group meets yearly in different locations. This year for the first time they met in our Country’s Capitol. Certainly an apropos place for these men who the Navy called “90 Day Wonders”. A name given them because they completed Officer Candidate School in the short period of three months. They were a very select group of young men ordinary in many ways, but called on to become extraordinary leaders in the battlefields of World War II and although they would be the first to deny it, they are heroes.

Although these men now call themselves “Ancient Mariners, Americans proudly refer to them as members of “The Greatest Generation”. As young men they enthusiastically and with determination left their homes, families, schools and universities to become military leaders in suppressing world domination by our enemies on two fronts.

So I salute these heroes who know too well that freedom is not free. That it comes with a high price. Many of the men that were their classmates and many of the men they led in battle, paid the ultimate price for freedom war while others returned sadly as wounded warriors.

The men and women who survived and returned to the civilian world took full advantage of the Government Issue (GI) Bill, Veteran Housing, and turned their military leadership toward post-war goals and accomplishments. They prospered, made light of their own war time sacrifice while gravely and somberly never forgetting,the ultimate sacrifice of so many countrymen and our proud allies.

Perhaps, these photos tell it all. The first was taken at Columbia in 1945 (my husband Robert is fourth from the left in the front row). Multiply that number by 25 to get an idea of how many young men graduated in the program over the four year period. The second photo shows the dwindling numbers. It represents all 26 classes attending the reunion. It was taken at the very unique Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. a few days ago.

So much life passed between the first and the second photo. I watched these heroes as they entered the building. It was a home-coming. Their step was quicker, their stature taller, and their smiles broader. They were greeted by younger men in navy blue uniforms. Rank was acknowledged and brief stories exchanged. The mutual feeling of respect between the younger and older men of the Naval Service was electrifying.

We were there for a Fallen Comrades Ceremony for fellow graduates of Columbia’s Officer Candidate School. It was a quiet, reflective time as 14 new names were added to the ever rapidly growing list of those who have left this earth. The Navy Hymn was sung, a wreath laid, and the haunting sound of TAPS filled the room. It was played softly for fallen comrades, old sailors, and for a time of patriotism, bravery, and heroic ways.

And so for three days, we toured the Capitol and wined and dined with old friends. The men swapped stories and enjoyed a camaraderie forged years earlier. Soon it was time for goodbyes and promises, if God’s willing, to meet again next year.

Sometime midweek on one of my walks into town, I discovered Red’s Hot Dogs. They are large hickory smoked wieners and as decadently delicious as a hot dog from a vendor can be. When I returned to the RV, I of course told Bob of my discovery. Now, you might not know, but Bob eats a very healthy diet most of the time, but he LOVES his hot dogs. The next day, we headed to Red’s for lunch. The hot dogs were even better than anticipated. In fact so delicious that we went back again the following day. However, all good things come to an end and we found (we travel with a weight scale) we both had gained a pound or two. We decided it was a good thing that the week of camping was drawing to an end. However, we promised ourselves that we would back next summer and ready to enjoy many of these fabulous hot dogs.

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I thought you would enjoy this photo of our little Bear Patrol Dog. Lucky is by far the most curious of our dogs and loves to see what is going on outside. LuAnn is usually the leader, but not for window watching. That honor belongs to Lucky.

Today, we took the dogs to Horseshoe Lake to swim. They were so excited. Neither of the Maltese had been in a lake before and we were not certain if they would like it.

The trip up in the tiny Smartcar with three dogs on my lap was well, . . . it was crowded. However, they enjoyed having the window rolled down and the wind blowing in their faces and I enjoyed watching happy little dogs.

When we got to the lake, I took off my shoes and socks and led all three to the water’s edge. They were much more interested in drinking the water than cooling off in it. With a little persuasion, I coaxed all three into deep enough water for a little dog paddling. Since Sammi is an old dog, she went back to shore to dry off in the sunlight. Lucky and LuAnn ventured out a little deeper. They seemed to enjoy the swim and looked like little drowned rats when we finally came back into shore.

Bob and I toweled them almost dry and a quick walk before getting back in the car made them tolerably damp and since it was warming up out, I enjoyed the coolness of their fur on my legs on the way home.

Needless to say they slept most of the afternoon before being ready for a late afternoon hike. And so our days pass quickly in the
mountains. I am not going to be ready to go home. I could easily stay another week or two.

This is actually a continuation of my last post where there are five photos of the Mammoth Lakes. Here are five more photos from that drive.

What a wonderful morning. We left the RV Park sometime before 10AM and map in hand, we navigated our way down the road. Our goal was to find five of the lakes that make up the Mammoth Lake area. Every turn, every curve brought more beauty to our eyes. We stopped at each lake and took photos before turning the Smartcar around and heading back to the RV. But enough of my words, here is my favorite photo of each lake and tomorrow, I will share more of the day. I promise.