The Marine Corps Memorial - Iwo Jima

I was especially pleased to see this memorial and watch the parade and drill. My father was a Marine, a Drill Sergeant.  I know he was watching with me, the same way I used to crawl up behind his recliner on Saturday nights when he watched John Wayne movies, including Iwo Jima!  I would sit as quiet as a mouse (at least I thought I was quiet) because I loved John Wayne movies just like he did.  Dad never said anything, but I discovered he knew where I was because he would silently put his hand down with whatever snack he was eating and give me some.  But we each went on pretending I wasn't there and at the end of the movie, while the credits were playing, I'd quietly return to my bedroom.

The Marine Corps Memorial - Iwo Jima - at Twilight

Beautiful and poignant

 Every Tuesday evening, from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, the U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Team perform at the Marine Corps Memorial - Iwo Jima.

After the band finishes, they march to the far left corner of the field. Everyone gets quiet, looking around, wondering what is next.  Then you see them - slowing, methodically - march from behind the Iwo Jima Memorial on both sides and onto the field. 

The Marines of Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.

Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., also known as 8th and I, is the oldest post of the Marine Corps. Its location on the corner of 8th and I Streets was personally selected by President Thomas Jefferson and Lieutenant Colonel William Ward Burrows, the first official Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon then emerges from the main group.  You can hear a pin drop when they begin their 13-minute drill.
To see them perform, go to this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMCnAT2bT0E

Preparing to leave the field.

The names of every engagement the Marine Corps have fought in are listed around the base of the memorial.

Taking things easy!! Yeah, right!!

Not everyone "relaxes" like my hubby, Nigel.  He works so hard when he's at work, then he gets almost two weeks off and what does he do?  He rebuilds our deck!!  The man is NUTS!!  But he's also wonderful and marvelous and I love him dearly in spite of everything I know about him! Ha Ha  So here's pictures of his latest project:

Old deck; new deck.  

This is a little area we may eventually put a cover over and put a concrete "floor" down to store bikes.  Don't you like the way I used the word "we"? You see, I'm the supervisor, water carrier and coffee maker! 

I talked Nigel into not replacing the railing that was up; now everyone can see the beautiful rock wall he built around the deck's circumference all those years ago. At the time, there wasn't any vegetation so the railing looked nice. However, with so much vegetation growing now, it was simply too much.

  The downside of any project - the inevitable mess! You can see the railings on the left that were removed.

More mess!!

 The man himself - almost finished!  He took longer than he'd initially planned, but I reminded him that with the way he builds things - to LAST - it's only natural it takes longer. 

 

Oh yes......I finished a project of my own!! My studio ladder - I finally got it painted!  I'm not sure if I'm completely finished with it yet.  I may paint green vines down the sides.

Then again......I just never know where my muse will lead me!

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend! The weather here has been fabulous - plenty of breezes and not nearly as hot, only in the high 80's and low 90's which is so much better than our "usual". 

I'm so ready for autumn!! 

Take care and may God bless! Jan