How I Spent My Memorial Day Weekend

These are some of the sights I took in on Saturday morning as I guided a tour through Arlington Cemetery and then walked to the Marine Corps Memorial before heading home.  All of the graves in the cemetery were adorned with American flags for the Memorial Day remembrance.  These are placed there by the Army 3rd Infantry, which is housed at Ft. Myer, directly adjacent to the cemetery.  To the right, you are looking through some of the headstones of well over 300,000 men and women buried here up at Arlington House, the home of George Washington Park Custis, and later Robert E. Lee, who had married his daughter Mary.  Custis was President Washington's step-grandson.



 

To the left, you see a well known picture of the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, frequently referred to as the Iwo Jima Memorial.  Dedicated in 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower, this statue depicts Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer prize winning photograph of the raising of the flag at the beginning of the battle for Iwo Jima Island during World War II.  This deadly battle against the Japanese would rage on for 30 days following the flag raising. Inside the circle on its base is a quote from Pacific Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."  The 100-ton statue and Nimitz' quote sum up the U.S. Marine Corps very well.

On Sunday evening, I gathered up some friends and we headed off to Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia for a picnic and then a concert by the President's Own U.S. Marine Band.  Afterward, we were treated to a great fireworks display.



This is the Filene Center beginning to fill in for the night's show at Wolf Trap.  It is an open-air venue with both lawn seating and pavilion seating.  Well known musical groups, singers and musical theater productions perform there from May through September each year.  Colder months offerings at Wolf Trap move into "The Barns," a more intimate concert hall setting.



At 8 p.m., the Marine Band got underway with their concert of mostly patriotic tunes including Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Souza's Stars and Stripes Forever and, of course, an armed forces medley.  We learned that the band's most famous conductor, John Philip Souza himself, re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves during WWI at the age of 62.  Wow, that's a man who was dedicated to the service of his country.



The evening would not have been complete without the fireworks display in the meadow a short walk's distance from the Filene Center.  Having never successfully photographed fireworks before, I decided to have a go at it.  I hope you enjoy the results.  This was a display unlike any I've seen before.  We were so close that it seemed the bombs were bursting almost directly overhead.  Ft. McHenry anyone?  At times, the entire sky was lit with gold sparkles.  It truly was a sight to see.







Memorial Day began just three years after the American Civil War concluded, in 1868.  Today, we honor those individuals who gave the ultimate sacrifice in all wars and all types of service to our nation so that we might live in freedom.  This is a day of remembrance and a day to show utmost respect and thanksgiving for these brave men and women.

My Hang Gliding Odyssey - A Photo Essay

My 10th grade English teacher allowed us to select research paper topics to work on and I chose a "then" new air sport called hang gliding.  Here, purchased with my own money at age 16 in 1976, is a very early hang glider that was supposed to have a 4:1 glide ratio.  In reality, it was probably more like 3:1 at best.  It could charitably have been called a rock.  Still, it gave me my start in a great sport that was about 98% comprised of men.  I held my own with them throughout my flying years.

 

This was one of the early training hills some of my flying pals and I used.  We called the little club we formed the Susquehanna Sky Surfers.  At the time, this location was called Skimont.  It was a small ski resort not far from Penn State University.  It allowed us to progress up the hill little by little, adjusting to our increasing skill as we went.

This is a foot launch shot at another training hill, about 350 feet high, that was on a sheep farm.  Note that I'm using a new, much higher quality glider.  This one was called a Cirrus V and was rated at about an 8:1 glide ratio.  I designed the color pattern myself and had many great flights with it over about 3 years.

This was the closest mountain launch to my home.  We had a ramp launch on the "front side" and a hill launch on the "back side" of what we called Trout Run, which was actually the name of the small town at the base of the mountain.  We cut a slot out of the forest for this front side launch and flew over the valley below.  If we were very lucky, we could soar for a bit in the ridge lift, but most flights were simple glides to the ground about 850 feet below.  We would do figure eights, 180s and 360s before eventually setting up for landing.  Then, we would come in and flare to land on a very small grassy area beside a trailer park at the end of a corn field.  This site taught me to make tight landings.  I flew there often.

 

Here, I had just foot launched on the back side of Trout Run.  It was only about 50-75 yards behind the front side, but significantly lower...perhaps 600-650 feet above the valley below.   In hang gliding, like any flying really, wind direction made the difference on where we could fly at any given time, which is what made Trout Run a particularly nice site.  If one side was unflyable on a particular afternoon, the other side might work out just fine.



This shot was taken shortly after takeoff on the back side of Trout Run.  You can see by my body and its position on the control bar that I'm in the process of starting a right-hand turn.  We had to do this at this particular site shortly after takeoff in order to follow the best path to our eventual landing area.



This is a nice shot of me flying out over the valley on the back side at Trout Run in the fall.  I spent about 4 years flying kites, well, being taken aloft by my kites, sometimes for mere moments, but one time for about an hour and a half.  These are great memories.  When I subsequently sold my Cirrus V, a one-time national champion hang glider pilot informed the purchaser that I was the finest female pilot in Pennsylvania.  That was a wonderful compliment that I obviously treasure to this day.

Dreaming of Space Flight

In honor of today's final launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, I thought I'd reminisce just a bit.  Though some might find it hard to believe, I grew up in the age of space flight.  In my early years, I remember rising early, staying up late, gathering around the black and white TV set to watch the Saturn V lift off with the small capsule at its top, carrying our astronauts into space.  First it was with the Mercury program and a single rider.  That was quickly followed by Gemini and its two-man teams.  Then, when I had settled on an early career choice of becoming an astronomer, the Apollo program blossomed into the manned missions to the moon.

During all of these liftoffs from Kennedy Space Center and splashdowns in the Pacific Ocean, I was mesmerized.  It was so exciting to hear the countdown to launch..."T minus 10 minutes and counting...five minutes...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, we have ignition, 3, 2, 1, and we have liftoff of Columbia (or whatever the ship was named for that particular mission)."  Then, several days later, we would gather again to watch the capsule fall from the sky, parachutes opening high overhead to slow it to a safe splashdown speed.  Soon after, the astronauts would open the hatch and climb out onto an inflatable raft and be picked up by a helicopter that would carry them to a nearby ship.

The most exciting voyage of all, of course, was Apollo 11.  I remember it vividly.  The slow motion and hopping movements of Neil Armstrong descending the steps of the Eagle lunar lander followed by Buzz Aldrin.  Michael Collins flying in the command module.  Armstrong's famous quote, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."  Their phone call with President Nixon from the moon to the earth.  It was very exciting indeed.

All of the spaceflight in those days took place in tiny capsules where astronauts were basically confined to seats amid massive instrument panels beside, in front of, and above them.  With these images and ideas firmly ensconced in my mind, I got together with my childhood buddy from across the street and we created our own space capsule.  Well, it wasn't shaped quite like a capsule, but our imaginations took over where physical form left off.  We put some knobs inside a 55 gallon cardboard barrel to simulate a control panel, made some shoebox radio packs for ourselves with wire hangers forming the antennae, and stuffed ourselves inside.  This was obviously a Gemini model.  Our moon shot was still to come.

As I grew older, I got to watch the progress of the space program, all while I was adapting my professional outlook from astronomy to music (math to aesthetics).  But, I never lost interest in flight or space.  In fact, just two months ago, some of my Ethiopian friends took great pleasure as I pointed out some of the various constellations to them on a clear night in Addis Ababa.  All of that space information in the Time Life books my parents gave me as a child stuck with me these many years later.  That, and the Friday space science classes in my high school's planetarium.

Imagination is a great thing, whether it be the stuff of childhood vocational dreams, or visions of the starry sky that our ancestors created for us.  It gives life beauty and wonder, and we are the better for it.

Barry and Karen inside a very obvious replica of a tiny Gemini space capsule.  This one had yet to be launched.  Our radio packs were too large to take inside with us.  That was a problem for the engineers to solve.

Loving My Mom Through Song

My 86-year-old mother has lived a long and good life.  But, along the way, she's dealt with heartache, serious illness, physical impairment and many challenges which can be difficult to face.  When I asked her several years ago if she had a favorite Bible verse, she immediately said Philippians 4:13.  She explained that it helped her through many challenging times in life.  Because this was so meaningful to her, I decided to write a poem using this verse as its foundation.  I then set it to music and gave it to her as my gift.  Its words remain ever true, and I hope one day we can all experience it as we move from one part of life into another, and eventually into eternity with Jesus. 

Christ is My Strength

I’ve lived through dips and troughs of life.

When days were tough, and full of strife.

At those dark times I prayed to God,

Recalled the journey Jesus trod.

I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

When life was rough, my heart felt fear,

I cried to God, “Incline your ear.”

He said, “I sent my Son for you.

Look to Him, he’ll see you through.”

I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

My voice back then was very weak,

But now no longer spent and meek.

Each day I laugh and smile and sing

Because Christ is my everything.

I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

My savior said that love is all,

With faith and hope, I will not fall.

I’ve seen the light of love on earth,

Yet long for heaven’s eternal birth.

I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

When my life story is complete,

I’ll rest in knowing who I’ll meet.

My heart will sigh and bid adieu,

When Jesus says, “I‘ve come for you.”

I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

I’ll take His hand and walk with Him

Assured His love will never dim.

My God has said to have no fear,

For His own Son is ever near.

I can do all things because Christ strengthens me.

Looking Back on the Royal Wedding

Like two billion or so other people, or so we've been told, I watched quite a bit of the recent royal wedding coverage from London.  I've watched William grow up in the public eye, and kept tabs on his on again, off again romance with Kate Middleton over the years.  Finally, the two made the decision to commit their lives to each other...to become one in marriage.

Most little girls grow up with stories of young maidens being swept off their feet by charming princes, so this story grabbed hearts and headlines the world over.  To my surprise, even some of my "he-men" colleagues admitted to rising early to watch the nuptuals.  For me, I liked the pageantry, the formality and the music, and I really appreciated the couple's choice to be married in an unabashedly Anglican, even evangelical service. 



Prince William and his bride are bound together as they vow to become one in marriage.

When they exchanged vows, they followed Anglican tradition and answered in the affirmative to the following questions: "Wilt thou have this man/woman to thy wedded husband/wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony?  Wilt thou love him/her, comfort him/her, honour and keep him/her, in sichess and in health? And, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as ye both shall live?"

When couples are serious about the vows they take before family, friends, and most importantly God, they truly are making a deep commitment to each other.  They are agreeing to face the good times and bad that come in all marriages...together.  They are agreeing to maintain fidelity in the relationship, and to continue to love and honor one another.  In this day, especially in western Europe where religious traditions have been all but done away with entirely, it is heartening to see the most famous couple, and perhaps the most admired as well, choose to express their belief in each other, and their belief in God in a very public way.

The Bishop of London opened his short homily with the following declarative statement.  "Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves."  Farther into his talk, he said, "As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life.  This is to load our partner with too great a burden.  We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.  As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light."

I find his words heartening, for in the darkest times that come to us all at some point, even in marriage, there is indeed a peace that passes all understanding, a person in the name of Jesus who we can turn to to bind our wounds and help us overcome hurts and transgressions.  The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate) will live an untraditional life no matter how hard they may try to maintain some level of what most of us would consider normalcy.  They will need, as we all do, that higher power to face down the challenges that lie ahead.  I might add that from all appearances and reports, it looks like they are getting off to a very good beginning.  May we all wish them well on their journey ahead.

That said, I couldn't end this post without offering you this...for those who just have to see them once more.  Enjoy your journey through the Royal Hat Parade.

Princess Beatrice shows off what is "apparently" British high style with this Philip Treacy hat creation.

America's Favorite Past-Time

Baseball has always been my favorite sport...especially when I get the chance to go out to the ballpark.  The bright green grass, the smell of hotdogs, catching a bag of peanuts flying through the air from a vendor, well, it's all just tons of fun.

Lots of people seem to think that time has passed baseball by.  The body slams in football, the alley-oops in basketball, the slapshots in hockey are just more exciting they say.  But for me, give me great pitching or batting skill, the excitement of a homerun or stolen base, the manager's strategizing, and the fun between innings and I'm a happy camper.

A recent game between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants reminded me of why I enjoy occasional outings to see the boys of summer at play.  I'm going to add a little caveat to this.  If you have any sway with the Washington Nationals organization, they desperately need to hire a new organist and scoreboard director.  Please tell them so.  Otherwise...let the pictures begin.



The Nats take the field against the defending champion San Francisco Giants...and come away with a 5-2 victory.



The 12-foot tall presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt) come out of a door in the outfield fence to race frantically around the warning track to the finish line in front of the home dugout about midway through each game.  Abe usually wins, and Teddy ALWAYS loses.  In this photo, he was already left in the dust somewhere out of frame.  You might want to check out some of Teddy's less than honorable efforts though.  Here is one more.  We all want Teddy to win, but he needs to do it the RIGHT way.  :)

I also go to see the great skills of some of the best players the game has to offer.  Here, catcher Ivan Rodriguez is at bat.  He hit an important double in this game and also threw a perfect bullet to second base to get a man out on a steal attempt.  This player is a certain hall of famer in the years to come and it's great to have the opportunity to see his formidable abilities on display.

The Giants fielded a pitcher on this day who obviously has his own sense of style.  Notice the lemon yellow glove and the old style of wearing his pants like knee britches.