On this Memorial Day while enjoying the freedom to gather with our family and friends, have a backyard barbecue, go to the lake, or just enjoy having an extended weekend our thoughts and prayers are for those whom “Memorial Day” is just one more day of heartbreak and loss they live with every day of the year.
“Lest we forget … freedom isn’t free.”
On this Memorial Day I wanted to write about a trip we took in April of 2018 to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.. Finally, 43 years after the Vietnam War was over, also known as “The Helicopter War” there was going to be a dedication held at Arlington National Cemetery for all the helicopter pilots and crew members (approximately 5,000) who were killed in Vietnam.
I originally planned to have this blog done in time for Memorial Day 2018, but writing it so soon after our trip, the memories and emotions of our special time together were too poignant and I had to wait until this Memorial Day.
Richard and I began our Memorial trip (over 4,600 miles in all) from Texas and drove to St. Louis, Missouri to pick up Sherry. Our dear friend, Sherry … who before a war in Vietnam changed her future hopes and dreams forever, was engaged to Bill Seaborn. Sherry … who’s own precious helicopter pilot had given “the full measure of devotion” and was killed 48 years ago when the helicopter he and my husband were flying was shot down over the jungles of Vietnam.
The three of us left St. Louis and drove to Edinburgh, Indiana to spend the night before driving the next day to West Virginia. The third morning we drove on into Washington, D.C. where we met and had lunch with some more precious friends, George and Patricia before heading to the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
After lunch we met Bill Seaborn’s sister, Beverly who had flown in from Florida to come to the dedication. We picked Beverly up at the hotel where she was staying and she, Sherry, Richard and I rode to Arlington National Cemetery together, parked, then rode on trams to the amphitheater at the Cemetery.
Before the ceremony began, we were delighted to meet up with Bob and his wife, Paula. Sherry met Bob when he graduated from the same Flight School Class as Bill did before they both left for Vietnam. She had remained friends with Bob since that day. Richard and I, only the previous year, had met Bob at Bill’s Memorial.
We all sat together as the dedication began, united in love for Bill and honoring all the pilots and crews members who were killed in Vietnam.
Opening ceremony …
At the end of the dedication the Memorial Wreath was carried out to be placed next to the Vietnam monument while the bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”
Bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace”
The Memorial Wreath next to the monument … “In honored memory of the helicopter pilots and crew members who gave the full measure of devotion to their nation in the Vietnam war.“
Sherry (Bill Seaborn’s fiancee) Beverly (Bill’s sister) and Richard (Bill’s friend and co-pilot) standing by the monument. The Gold Star Members (any family member that lost a loved one in military service) were recognized and honored and Sherry and Beverly were each given a single long stem rose.
LEST WE FORGET WHAT MEMORIAL DAY IS ABOUT …
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
We went to Silver Dollar City’s “An Old Time Christmas” the first day of our vacation and we were “dazzled” with over 6.5 million lights, walk-through tunnels, a 5 story special-effect Christmas tree, and the most stunning Christmas lights and displays we’ve ever seen!
The entire amusement park was “bejeweled”and the trees were wound and draped in lights.
Through the years, I’ve created some easy meals for our family that I call … “Skillet Express Meals.” Cooking criteria that “must” be met in each of these recipes: it “must” take less than 30 minutes to fix, it “must” be delicious, and it “must” use only 1 skillet to make the recipe, from start to finish. The first “Skillet Express” recipe I shared on this blog was 
The definition of tablescape according to the English Oxford dictionary is … “A decorative arrangement of ornaments or other objects on a tabletop.” Embellishing Oxford’s definition of tablescape a little further … a tablescape for me is created by arranging a tabletop in an artful way by using decorative objects … decor … centerpieces … lighting … and color in combination with the items needed in the table setting to create a certain mood or theme. 
The focal point of this tablescape is vintage minnow bucket that Richard found for me on one of our antique-ing excursions. Some time ago, I told him I was looking a for a minnow bucket though I had a certain “look” in mind for that bucket. I wanted an antique bucket with good coloring and with graphics that were still readable, but I didn’t want it to look all “beat up” so I could use it for arrangements. I was amazed when months after I mentioned it to him, he came to me smiling with this perfect gift in hand, complete with both the bucket and the minnow strainer and with the added bonus of a little rust to enhance the patina! Now, that my friends is a gift more romantic to me than a bouquet of roses! ❤
Gazing beyond the window at blue skies and spring blossoms, and inside … lace-y tree branches reflected on my grandmother’s glass-topped table … a dreamy place to work!
Cottage Green on the Lake 