Visiting the "MOVING WALL"

June 24, 2007..... Bruce and I got together with our good friends, Vaughn & Debbie, to take a drive out to Clayton to visit the "MOVING WALL"..... It had been in town a few days and we wanted to visit it before it left.... There was this huge pavilion type building set up where people could get assistance looking for names of loved ones or even aquaintances of those who sacrificed their lives during the Viet Nam War.... It was simply amazing how well organized this was.... We had no trouble locating the names we were looking for...... and the volunteers assisting us were just so helpful and pleasant.....


They had tables sit up with huge books and computers to enable them in their search....


They also provided food and beverages for those interested.... Like these two fellas here... Just trying to keep up their strength until the next meal....

This chart held the names and pictures of a couple of fallen soldiers from our county who would be mentioned later in a special ceremony for "Gold Star" families....

Vaughn and Debbie looking through the book to locate the names of a couple of soldiers Vaughn knew when he was in the military (navy)....

Heading out to the "Moving Wall"....

Vaughn reading the names of fallen soldiers from our county to be honored in upcoming ceremony......

Bruce reading the names on the "Wall"......

Here's an old veteran ...... Still remembering those he served with.... and maybe even a few of those who didn't make it home......

Thanks to all of them.... Alive.... KIA.... POW..... and those still serving today.....FREEDOM CONTINUES TO REIGN!!!

AND THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..... NEVER.....

Thank YOU.... each and everyone of YOU.... for all you've given.... for all you've sacrificed... For all we have today..... BECAUSE OF YOU!!!

Gold Star Family's Ceremony

While we were there we ran into a friend, who was there for the "Gold Star" Families' Ceremony, who had lost his brother in Viet Nam.... We decided to stay for the ceremony and were so glad we did... It was a very moving...... A very emotional time to remember our lost loved ones and to just be there to show our support to the "Gold Star" families and our friend.....

This was a list of names of all the young soldiers from our county who had lost their lives in Viet Nam....

During the ceremony, the name of each fallen soldier (from our county) was mentioned, the attending family members would rise and come forth.... They were given a rose to carry over to the wall and place at the foot of the wall where their loved one's name is written..... It wasn't rushed, and each family member was given their moment of silence as they approached the wall and returned before the next name was called out.....

This is our friend and his sister placing their rose by the wall.... Remembering the brother they lost.....

At the end of the ceremony, they placed a special "Gold Star" wreath over by the wall.... To honor our fallen heros and loved ones.....

We do not forget.... We will never forget...... Those who sacrificed their lives so that we may live the wonderful lives we are so blessed with today.... FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.... IT COMES WITH A PRICE!!!

Dinner Time

Once we left the ceremony, we headed down to the village of Clayton where we found a place to park the car and took a short walk down by the water..... Couldn't have asked for better weather then what we had.... After awhile, we agreed we'd like to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the city.... Not all that familiar with Clayton, we weren't sure what choices we'd have in finding a good place to eat.... It didn't take us long before we found this cozy little place and decided to check it out.... Guess we weren't the only out of towners with the same idea... The place was fairly busy and we also ran into a few familiar faces here as well.....


Could Debbie's haddock sandwich be any bigger....

Vaughn went with the BBQ with fries... I almost tried it myself.....

Bruce got a hot turkey sandwich...

When I finally made up my mind, I got a hot Philly Steak Sandwich.... Boy was it ever good..... I wasn't disappointed in my choice...

After an enjoyable, relaxing meal, (boy did it feel good to sit down and be off our feet for a while).....we decided we needed to make one more stop while we were in the village.... Time for some good ole River Rat Cheese.... I had my mind set on getting some extra sharp cheese for some homemade macaroni and cheese.... And this was the place to get it.... I went with the extra sharp... but there was also some 3X sharp cheese in there too... Tempting.... very tempting, but I resisted.... The higher cost made it easy to do..... Debbie bought some home made chocolates, which I was also tempted to do, but I was good and held back....

OK... truth be known.... I was remembering the little Ice Cream/Custard Shop we saw on our way into town..... I had other ideas in mind....

Ice Cream Anyone?

Now it's time for a little dessert.... ICE CREAM!!! We spotted this little place on our way into Clayton, and made note we might like to stop here on our way home..... The idea stayed with us and we definitely stopped.... I think Vaughn was the only one who ended up actually having ice cream.... Bruce, Debbie, and I had custard.... Oh so creamy.... Oh so GOOD!!

A perfect way to end a perfect afternoon with good friends.... The weather was beautiful, not too warm...... not too cool....just right.... We ran into a few other friends along the way, which just made our afternoon even more delightful... By the time we all reached home, we were more than ready for a nap.... Some of us started already on the drive home.... Not mentioning any names... Deb ..... Vaughn.... Well, ok.... maybe I did nod off a tad.... but not for long... Someone had to make sure our driver (Bruce) kept his eyes open....

Here Comes The Bride

Before the wedding started, I was able to catch Alyson in her room getting ready....

Ben and his groomsmen waiting for things to get started.....

Ben and his Grandmother......

Ben and his Mom.........

The Lehman 5......

Chase and Charlie.....

Family and friends waiting for the ceremony to get started.....

Bruce and I posing with the Newly Weds

Father of The Bride

Handsome fella isn't he.....

Mr. & Mrs. McIntosh

Here they are folks.... Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin McIntosh.....

Mrs. McIntosh, smiling pretty for the camera......

Getting ready to have pictures taken at a nearby park....

Sharing a kiss........

The Bride and her ladies......

The Groom and his grooms men......

Having a little fun with the newly weds......

The Bridal Party......

OK..... Time to head back to the reception......

The Introductions...

So..... OK, it's just Bruce and me.... but Matt was having problems with my camera, and even though he tried to get pictures of everyone else as they entered the room, the picture of Bruce and I was the only one that turned out..... And probably the only decent picture of me all night, so hated not to include it.... Nice looking couple!!

May I Have This Dance?

Mr. & Mrs. McIntosh dancing their first dance together as Mr. & Mrs.....


Bruce and I even got onto the dance floor.... OK... once... but we did get in a dance together and that should count right??....


Mrs. McIntosh dancing with her step-father, Mike.....

Ben dancing with his Mom......

Last, but not least...... Alyson has a dance with her Dad..... (Actually they had the first dance together after Ben & Alyson had their dance.... but I kind of liked doing this set of pictures in this order)....