Summer is officially under way, and Mother Nature made sure we were officially notified with those couple of 90+ degree days over the Memorial Day weekend and into this week. The weather folks kept saying that normal temps for Memorial Day were around 70-75 degrees. This was probably one of the warmest Memorial Days that I can remember, but I also remember it being cold enough to snow on Memorial Day. As the saying goes, “we don’t control the weather.”
“Still Smiling…”
Last week I officially went over 150. I have been keeping track of Airmen at the front gate of Minot Air Force Base giving me a warm smile and greeting as I enter the base. It has been 153 times in succession that I have been welcomed to Minot Air Force Base with a smile and a greeting. Kind of goes along with that old saying that “you can’t make a good first impression the second time.”
Through all kinds of weather, hot and cold, they have taken my ID and almost every time asked me about how my day is going. I normally will return their smile and thank them for their service. One good turn certainly deserves another.
Summer Movies!!!
I am happy to announce that The Northern Sentry and the Air & Space Forces Association are sponsoring the Will Rogers Summer Kid Series at Oak Park Theater. With the help of the AFA, we are able to offer this series for just $1.00 admission cost and also offer a concession special of a small popcorn for just $5.00. We start out on June 1st at 1:00 PM with the movie “How to Train Your Dragon.” There are 10 movies in this series during the summer, and all show times are 1:00 PM Monday through Thursday. For more information about the series, you can go to northernsentry.com, oakparktheater.net or check out the Oak Park Theater Facebook page.
And The Sky…
If you read Amy Allender’s article about Sky Fest over Ft. Stevenson State Park, you already know that the event has grown into perhaps one of the largest events of this type in the state. On Memorial Day the weather was absolutely perfect for the event. Blue skies, just the right amount of wind and nice (until mid-afternoon) temperatures greeted visitors to Skyfest.
We have been attending Sky Fest for many years and have watched as the number of kites, and visitors, has grown. This year I took a few photos of the activities, including one of the longest kites I have seen. It’s always fun to watch as young kids, and well actually adults too, get their first experience in rigging and flying a kite. It kind of takes me back to my younger days when we used to build kites in Cub Scouts. The Sky Fest kites are definitely an improvement over what we built and flew, but none the less the goal is still the same…and the results will make you smile.
Taps Across America
On Memorial Day weekend hundreds of people recorded Taps being played at Memorial Day services and sent them to tapsacrossamerica.org. All registrants agreed to play Taps at 3:00 PM on Memorial Day. I don’t know of a better tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. There are also several renditions of Taps on YouTube.
And Finally…
A good friend and co-worker of mine, Bob Lindee, now works produced a Memorial Day tribute entitled On Heavy Ground.
“On Heavy Ground” is a Memorial Day tribute honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who answered the nation’s call and gave their lives in service to their country. Featuring imagery from Arlington National Cemetery and other sites of remembrance, the video reflects on sacrifice, loss, and the enduring obligation to remember those who never came home.
You can find “On Heavy Ground” on YouTube. Bob Lindee is a veteran and comes from a family who has many who served our country as members of the Armed Services. Take a minute, well actually a minute and thirty eight seconds, to watch “On Heavy Ground.” I am sure it will bring tears to your eyes, as it did to me.
Today’s Chuckle
Making money is like bees making honey. You can make it, but they won’t let you keep it.
