Today, November 11, 2008, we visited the Riverside National Cemetary, one of the largest in the world with almost 200,000 fallen veterans laid to rest. This day was the 30th anniversary of Riverside National Cemetary as it opened its' doors on the same date, November 11, in 1978. Below are a few pictures of the day. You'll notice the hundreds of American flags on military graves and a young lady lingering nearby a loved one.
The program went on, the sky was full of planes flying over our heads, one was America's newest cargo planes, the C-17. This was the last pass over below.
After the program we met Army Chaplain Donald Forden from Sun City. Besides working with veterans from time to time, Chaplain Donald is a psychologist with the school district. As far as we could tell, the two Dons pictured below were the only Army chaplains we saw at the veterans program. Navy Chaplain Norm Goodwin gave the invocation.
The honored guests were seated by a beautiful pond in front of the Riverside National Cemetary bowl. One of the highlights was a 16 year old cadet who spoke of his pride in America and his plans to become a Navy Seal. As the General said later that it was hard to speak after such a message ... and we can be confident of America's future with youth like the young cadet.
It was good to be on military soil again, we always feel at home when we're around other military people, whether we know them or not. I guess that's what twenty years together does to a family. We all shared in so many things that others haven't. Below Don and I are standing by some commemorative plaques honoring fallen veterans.
What a surprise to see Pat and Sharon Francisco from Vancouver, Washington drive by as we were walking across the street to get back in car and head to the right location. Pat and Sharon visited us several times while we lived in Frankfurt, Germany, at the Adventist Military Support Center. This time they were visiting Pat's mother, who was also along as to visit Chaplain Francisco's grave on Veterans Day. Perfect timing, I'd say.
It was touching to stand with so many honoring our nation. The flags were so colorful and the miltiary color guard smart looking. There was also a twenty-one gun salute and a moving echo Taps with two bugles.
The music from the Riverside Concert Band playing the Armed Forces Salute (of all the branches of the military), a lady singing "I'm so proud I'm an American," and the entire crowd singing the National Anthem. Below is Riverside Concert Band's sheet music.
The program went on, the sky was full of planes flying over our heads, one was America's newest cargo planes, the C-17. This was the last pass over below.
After the program we met Army Chaplain Donald Forden from Sun City. Besides working with veterans from time to time, Chaplain Donald is a psychologist with the school district. As far as we could tell, the two Dons pictured below were the only Army chaplains we saw at the veterans program. Navy Chaplain Norm Goodwin gave the invocation.
The honored guests were seated by a beautiful pond in front of the Riverside National Cemetary bowl. One of the highlights was a 16 year old cadet who spoke of his pride in America and his plans to become a Navy Seal. As the General said later that it was hard to speak after such a message ... and we can be confident of America's future with youth like the young cadet.
It was good to be on military soil again, we always feel at home when we're around other military people, whether we know them or not. I guess that's what twenty years together does to a family. We all shared in so many things that others haven't. Below Don and I are standing by some commemorative plaques honoring fallen veterans.
What a surprise to see Pat and Sharon Francisco from Vancouver, Washington drive by as we were walking across the street to get back in car and head to the right location. Pat and Sharon visited us several times while we lived in Frankfurt, Germany, at the Adventist Military Support Center. This time they were visiting Pat's mother, who was also along as to visit Chaplain Francisco's grave on Veterans Day. Perfect timing, I'd say.
It was touching to stand with so many honoring our nation. The flags were so colorful and the miltiary color guard smart looking. There was also a twenty-one gun salute and a moving echo Taps with two bugles.
The music from the Riverside Concert Band playing the Armed Forces Salute (of all the branches of the military), a lady singing "I'm so proud I'm an American," and the entire crowd singing the National Anthem. Below is Riverside Concert Band's sheet music.
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