Photo-of-the-Week #184 - Remembering Our Veterans, Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina, December 2004

I want this photo to stand on its own. It was taken at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. It was at this location that the first shots were fired of what became the bloodiest war in U.S. history. A civil war that pitted brothers against brothers and fathers and sons against one another.

There is not much more to say except that I'm proud and glad to be an American despite all our problems as a country. As a Vietnam Era, U.S. Air Force veteran, I'm proud to be one of those who took the oath to defend our Constitution and serve our country during one of, if not the most, unpopular wars in our history.

As an American and as a veteran, I salute every American man and woman who took that oath and served our country regardless of whether they are alive today or passed on or suffered disabilities or made the ultimate sacrifice, from the Revolutionary War through our current strife. It doesn't matter what branch of the service, whether a member of the Union or the Confederate military, what war they served in or what their job was. Everyone deserves our undying gratitude and I hope everyone reading this who is a U.S. citizen will remember that on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, Veterans Day, especially my fellow veterans. I'm sure there are citizens of other countries who are grateful for our veterans' sacrifices on their behalf, too.

Photo-of-the-Week #151 Taking Care of Our Own, New VA Medical Center, Lake Nona, Florida, January 2013

Two photos this week because one couldn't begin to show the immensity of this hospital complex. It's heartwarming to see that the government is supporting our millions of military veterans. As a Vietnam era Air Force veteran myself, it is reassuring to know that the government is not forgetting or casting aside those who have voluntarily or involuntarily raised their hand, taken "the oath" and committed their lives to defend the American way of life.

These two photos only show the front, the back and a portion of the side of the complex that will not be open and operational for at least another eight months to a year. This depicts what I estimate about 25% of the complex and doesn't include several other buildings on the campus. It is, indeed, impressive. It's location, Lake Nona, is in the southeast quadrant of Orlando near the Orlando International Airport. Orland is a Florida city that continues to expand, exponentially, ever since Walt Disney arrived on the scene with the Disney World complex. This is a vast area that appears to be more of the land that once was the grazing range of large herds of cattle.

My only criticism, and I do have one, is how much taxpayer money has been expended in the architectural design and the construction of this design. Perhaps it wasn't all that much. However, knowing that creating very unique architecture is very expensive as is translating that design into a physical structure, especially when undertaken by any government agency, I feel sure there is a lot of money involved in this element of the complex. It is my thought that a modern, basic, functional, attractive complex without all the flare, could have been designed and developed, especially at this time when excessive government spending is a major point of contention. I doubt that a more cost effective design would have compromised the quality of medical facility or service provided to our veterans. Indeed, perhaps the equipment, medical facilities and ability to serve the intended individuals could have been enhanced with those additional funds, if not used for some other necessary government service. Or, I guess it just could have been saved and the federal budget reduced a little bit.

Otherwise, I'm sure this new complex will provide a huge universe of eligible veterans with the services they have earned and rightfully deserve. And, it appears it will be in the center of another diversified medical community based on the other organizations that have already built and opened new research and medical facilities adjacent to the VA complex.     

Photo-of-the-Week #117 - The Crossroads, Breezewood, Pennsylvania, July 2013

I've titled this week's photo "The Crossroads." This is Breezewood, Pennsylvania a small town in south central Pennsylvania. It's very close to the Maryland border in an area that is called the Maryland Panhandle.

I've been through Breezewood many times over the past 30+ years. It's one of those places that seems timeless. It always appears to look the same. It is where I-70 an east-west, interstate route that begins at Baltimore, Maryland in the east and terminates (or begins depending at which end you start from) at Cove Fort, Utah. In the process, this 2,153 mile highway passes through ten states, is the oldest operating part of the interstate highway system, beginning in 1956 and also reaches the highest elevation of any of the Interstates at 11,158 feet.

Breezewood is the crossroad where I-70 veers north from Hancock, Maryland to merge into the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The turnpike considered to be the oldest, limited access, toll road in the U.S., beginning in the 1930's. I-70 remains concurrent with The Turnpike (also numbered as I-76 in the interstate highway system) from Breezewood to New Stanton, Pennsylvania where I-70 separates and continues west through the northern panhandle of West Virginia at Wheeling and into Ohio.

Frankly, I don't honestly know if there is actually a real town of Breezewood, though I'm sure there is, but this is all I've seen of Breezewood. As you can tell, it's a busy intersection with several 50's and 60's style motels, a couple local restaurants and a number of the national chain restaurants, truck stops and gas stations and some touristy gift shops full of memorabilia of the "passer-through's" visit to Breezewood. Basically, Breezewood isn't a destination, it's simply a reminder that you're on your way to somewhere, east, west or south. I was on my way back to eastern base camp in West Virginia from my visit (on business) to Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.

Photo-of-the-Week #80 - U.S. Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Team, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, June 2007

This weekend marks the 237th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps and Veterans Day. I couldn't think of a better photo for this week than this shot of the Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps and the Silent Drill Team from Washington, DC. And, this just happens to be a most appropriate setting, Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

There is nothing as stirring to me as listening to and seeing any of the U.S. military bands performing. As a Vietnam Era veteran, I salute all my fellow veterans regardless of when you served our great country, during a war or during peace. I hold that salute for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is because of all our military heroes who gave their lives around the world and our surviving veterans and active-duty military that we have the liberty we enjoy. We must never take the right and opportunity to live whatever kind of lifestyle we choose for granted.  This is what "Living Free" is all about.

Nothing more to say except happy birthday U.S. Marines and thank you to all our vets and active-duty military for your service.