TWO VERY, VERY SPECIAL GALS

When I count my blessings, I count two women in my life that are not just ordinary women.  They are special, and let me tell you why.  They are my granddaughter, Hannah, and her mom(although she looks more like her sister), Erin.  They are special in so many ways, but their crowning glories are having both been deployed at the same time to Afghanistan.  Siblings have done it, and fathers and sons, but I cannot imagine that there have been too many mother-daughter deployments.

This picture taken shortly before deployment, Erin (Mom) on left and Hannah on right

Erin is a First Lt. Moncrief Army Community Hospital Department of Behavioral Health Social Work Assistant Chief helping soldiers in the U.S. Army to deal with the mental ravages of war while Hannah is a Senior Airman Air Force Crew Chief in the 12th Air Combat Division out of Hollomon Air Force Base in New Mexico.  Hannah left the U.S. last September and Erin deployed in October.  Hannah recently returned to the states after her second deployment to Kandahar Air Field. To me this is such an amazing achievement since she joined the military at the tender age of 18.  Erin deserves tremendous credit for putting herself through school earning a masters degree while working full-time.  They are both incredibly strong and disciplined,  Although stationed at separate bases in Afghanistan they were able to spend a few precious days together over the Christmas holidays. These gals can manage to still look glamorous while wearing fatigues!

Hannah was quoted as saying "We are in different branches and complete opposite career fields, but coming together to support the same deployed mission.  The opportunity to serve together is incredible" She also stated "I know my Mom came into the armed forces later in life and partly because of my service and her brother's (my uncle).  She recognized the need for good mental health services for soldiers.  I am a reminder to her about military combat issues and she is a reminder to me about resiliency and mental health strength."

Erin will be returning soon to the states and this time I doubt whether their reunion will include fatigues.  I say kudoes and well done to these two amazing women.  May God keep you safe and protect you whenever and wherever you go. You make us all so very proud.

Article in military newspaper.

I CAN CHECK THIS ONE OFF THE BUCKET LIST!

Ever since I was a teenager I have been infatuated with outer space.  Even though life got busy and I put my interest on the back burner, I have always had a longing to see a rocket launch, live and in person.  I did not just want to see a rocket flying through the sky, I wanted to see it, feel it and hear it, up close, at least as close as they let you go.
Since we have been camping at Patrick Air Force Base on the central coast of Florida, it became possible for this dream to become a reality.  Last week we toured Kennedy Space Center, which I would highly recommend if you have not been there.  It is an incredible adventure, and you could spend a day there.  The bus tour takes you out to the launch pads and throughout the huge tract of land that is the space center.  You see the "crawlers". magnificent pieces of equipment that carry the rocket out to the launch pad, a two mile trip taking five hours.  You get to see many videos and displays that are so well done.  There are two Imax theaters and the icing on the cake for me was to see the actual Atlantis Space Shuttle.  Here are some pics from the visit to NASA....

 All manned flights to the moon left from this launch pad

 Crawler than takes rockets to the launch pad

 The size of the rockets is amazing

 Real astronaut boots with REAL moondust

The highlight of the trip for me..the Atlantis Space Shuttle

Although we were to leave Florida today for home, we extended for two days so that I could see the launch of an Atlas 5 rocket carrying reconnaisance equipment into space. ...yes, I would imagine that it is us they are spying on, :-)

I went armed with binoculars, iPhone, cameras and all I could carry.  Not sure why, I could only use one at a time!  I went to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, so that I could take pictures of the many birds there after the launch.  The beach was packed, as it is one of the more desirable spots for viewing the event.....as the time drew near, I was in awe that after 68 years I was really here.  The excitement was in the air for all of us.  Here are a few pics......

 Through the haze you can see the rocket in the middle of the picture between two towers

 Launch Time!

Gone in a flash

It may seem like a lot of effort to spend a day to see something that takes less than a minute, but it was a thrill for me.  That we live in a generation that has seen men walk on the moon, and live in a space station is incredible.  The few tears I shed while witnessing such an event are testimony to the blessing of realizing one of many lifelong dreams.