Memorial Day...Remembrances

My dad is a Vietnam Vet.  Although he never asked to go to war (he was drafted like so many other young men then), he did his duty and fought for his country...and he came home.  Lucky for me, since I wouldn't be here if he hadn't.  I can't tell you if he was proud of his service because he never really mentioned being proud.  I also do not think he was ashamed in any way.  I think it was just something he thought the he had to do and he did it.  It wasn't a secret, I've known my whole life that he fought in that war and occasionally he would bring up a story or two-nothing too serious, just small moments regarding his time there.  I knew he was a medic while he was there, but when I was younger, I never really thought about what that really entailed.  Now that I'm older, I hate to think about the horror he experienced.

Through the years, he talked about the time he spent in basic training in Colorado Springs and my grandparent visiting him while he was there.  He talked about flying on the helicopters in Vietnam and occasionally he would talk about some of the men he met while he was there.  He would tell stories of crossing rivers and having to pull leeches off of his legs after the crossing and the miserable weather.  And sometimes he would pull out his pictures (I wish I had one to share right now) and medals that he received, but there were never stories about what really happened there.  I'm sure part of that was to protect us from the realities of war and the other part was probably things he just didn't want to discuss.  I know that he talked about these things with my mom and thankfully he adjusted well to life after coming back...when many others did not.

I remember him telling me once, when I got older, that sound of helicopters used to give him flashbacks...and yet in 1976 at the Brady Township Bicentennial celebration, my dad took my brother and me on a helicopter ride.  There is really only one story that he told, when I was a teenager, that got into the life and death realities of war and what he faced.  One night, as his platoon was camped for the night, the night watchman fell asleep and there was an attack on their camp.  The enemy came in with guns blazing, shooting the soldiers as they slept.  Many of the men there died, but my dad made it out alive and unhurt.  As a medic he would have had to spring to action to help the others and would have watched these other young men, his friends, die.    I can't even imagine what that does to a person.

Just a few years ago, my nephew asked my dad a question about his time in Vietnam. He wanted to know if his grandpa had ever had to kill someone.  Pretty amazing question for a kid.  No one had ever asked him that question.  And my dad told me later that he was glad that he was able to say that he had not.  Before that moment, I had never thought about that.

Memorial Day isn't really about my dad or any other of the veterans who made it home and yet in many ways it is about them and what they saw, what they lived through, and who they lost.

As a kid, every year we would go to the Memorial Day Service, put together by our local American Legion, at one of our local cemeteries.  We'd watch them raise the flag and then watch as they did the 21 gun salute and we'd run to collect the empty shells that fell to the ground.  The ceremonies never lasted long and we would walk around the cemetery afterward to visit a few graves of relatives and then head home.  I have very fond memories of those days.  I'm guessing, in retrospect, one of the reasons that we attended was because of my dad's service and his desire to remember those that were lost.

Over the years, I have found other ways to celebrate Memorial Day and to remember, throughout the year, those who sacrificed their lives for my freedom.  I have visited a number of National Cemeteries and have attended many Memorial Day parades, but I have missed those small town celebrations of my childhood.  Many times over the years, I have contemplated finding a Memorial Day service to attend and finally, today I was able to do just that.

Bayshore Park Veterans Memorial, Munising, MI

It was a beautiful sunny morning, as we left our hotel room to walk to Bayshore Park in Munising for the first part of their Memorial Day Celebration.  There was the raising of the flag, the playing of the National Anthem, and a brief speech and prayer followed by the reading of the names of all of the area residents who had been killed in the line of duty since World War I.

Imke, Maddie and Max were very good at paying their respects too.  Max especially enjoyed all of the extra love and attention he got while we were there.  Maddie was about to get the shock of her life.

Honor Guard

And then to end the service, there was the 21 gun salute and the playing of taps.  It was beautiful ceremony.  I was so proud of the dogs and even more proud and thankful to be an American and to be celebrating the freedoms we have.  And there was a beautiful view to top off this celebration.

Munising Bay

Following this ceremony, we attended the Blessing of the Fleet also held in the park.

Blessing of the Fleet

In addition to the service at the Veteran's Memorial in the park, I wanted to attend a service at a cemetery as well, so we walked back to our hotel and then drove to the Maple Grove Cemetery for the 11am service that was planned there.

Maple Grove Cemetery, Munising MI

Unlike the services of my younger years, this was a much more formal affair with a podium and speaker system.  They did the flag raising and then one veteran stood up to tell a story, a story of friends who had gone into war together, but who had not all made it back home.  And as I watched this group of veterans and listened to this story, I saw one man slowly wiping tears away.  This man, probably in his early 70s who had fought in a war that happened 50 years ago,  still had the raw emotions of that loss of friends. It's a moment that would have been beautiful to capture on film, but out of respect, I just couldn't do that.

Maple Grove Cemetery, Munising 

After the speaker concluded his story, there was a blessing and the reading of the names of all of the area Veterans who had died in the last year and the ceremony ended with the 21 gun salute and the playing of taps.  They quickly concluded as storm clouds began to roll in, announcing that there would be two more services held at two other local cemeteries.

Since the weather was a bit questionable and with no other solid plans for the day, I headed East to the Munising Township Cemetery in Wetmore.  This is a tiny little cemetery and the turn-out was small.  It was a quick raising of the flag and 21 gun salute as the downpour began.  I was glad I had come to show my support.

Munising Twp Cemetery, Wetmore MI

As a quickly as the rain had started, it stopped, and the skies cleared as I drove West to Au Train for the final ceremony of the day.  With another quick raising of the flag, the 21 gun salute, and the final round of taps, our Memorial Day celebration was complete. 

Au Train Twp Cemetery, Au Train MI

I have to say that I am honored to be an American.  I am proud of who we are as a people and what we stand for.  I know that not everything in our country is perfect, but in small towns across this country there are hard working people who believe what I believe...that America is great and that our freedoms are worth fighting for...every day.  I am thankful for all of the men and women who fight for our beliefs and have fought for them for over 240 years.  And I hope that we can remember every day, those who made that ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in the home of the free...the land of the brave, the country I am proud to call home.  I am free because some died fighting for me. Someone I never knew, someone who lived before I was born.  Someone who died for the promise of the future...a future they never got to see.  That is an amazing sacrifice.  And that is what makes America great.  

Happy Memorial Day

Max discovers the U.P.

What a great weekend we are having!   After 4 months away, it is so great to be back.  I'm convinced that Maddie feels the same way and knew exactly where we were going when we left home on Friday.  She traveled with excitement all the way to the Mackinac Bridge, in typical Maddie fashion. And also in typical fashion, there was much excitement as we arrived at the park in Mackinaw City-always our first stop on a trip to the UP.  As we piled out of the Jeep, I know we were quite the sight. So much excitement and I was tangled in leashes and then after untangling, I was suddenly tangled again.  After several more episodes of tangling and untangling and several sniffing and potty stops along the way, we finally made it to the beach and this amazing view.

While Maddie dragged me and Imke so she could get to the Lake for a big drink of that fresh Great Lakes water, Max was immediately fascinated with all of the sea gulls.  

Max loves sea gulls

As we walked down the beach, there was lots more sniffing and exploring and greeting of new friends; the girls wading in and out of the water along the way.  I was excited to see how Max would react to the water and patiently waited for him to approach.  He saw Maddie and Imke in the water and began to trot toward them...and then there was movement, a tiny little ripple of a wave coming into shore, and he jumped back and decided he no longer had any interest in the water.  Silly boy!  

Obligatory pic with the Bridge 

After 30 minutes, we were back in the Jeep and on our way North across the Bridge, windows down and ears flapping in the wind.   Once we were over the Bridge, everyone settled in for the rest of the trip Munising.

Max crossing the Mackinac Bridge

Day 2 we awoke to sunshine and blue skies, the perfect Munising day.  After a lazy morning at the hotel, we headed west of town to Au Train to spend some time at the beach.  Au Train has a beautiful stretch of sandy beach which is rarely ever busy and we love to spend time there exploring and enjoying the view.  

We spent a couple hours there, walking the beach and exploring the lake.  Max even got over his fear of the water so he could explore the rocky cliff area with the girls.  

Max enjoyed his explorations

Before leaving Au Train, we made a quick trip across M-28 to spend a little time exploring Scott Falls.  This is a beautiful little roadside waterfall that you even walk behind.  It's a great falls to explore all year round.

Scott Falls

After our morning in Au Train, it was time to head back to Munising to grab some lunch at our favorite cafe.  With lunch in hand, I decided it would be nice to eat lunch at the beach so we headed out to the lake shore and Miners Beach.  The Miners Beach area is my favorite area in the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore.  A portion of the North Country Trail runs through this area, so after lunch it was time for a hike.  Max thought a swim in Miners River was a better idea!

Quick dip in Miners River

This portion of the NCT runs along the Miners River and along the Miners Beach lake shore.  It is such a beautiful area and is probably my favorite portion of the trail.   I think the dogs really just wanted to explore the River.

NCT Bridge over Miners River

Midway through our hike, we made a stop at one end of Miner's beach so we could get our feet in the sand and so the dogs could get a drink in the Lake.  Of course I made them pose for a picture along the way.  They were very popular and, as is a normal occurrence, a complete stranger asked to take their picture too.  I can't tell you how many people have pictures of my girls right here on this portion of the beach.  

Miners Beach

Miners Beach

After some time on the beach, we jumped back on the trail.  We hiked along the lake shore toward the opposite end of Miners Beach.  This end of the beach is  a bit more rocky and includes beautiful Elliot Falls which flows out of the forest and into Lake Superior.  Max even got close enough to feel a bit of the water spray.

Max at Elliot Falls

While Max and I were exploring the falls, Maddie decided to join us.  

Maddie at Elliot Falls

Imke preferred to explore the rest of the beach.  There is just so much to see here and no matter how many times we come here, it seems like there is always something new to explore.  

Imke

Before heading back on the trail to get back to the Jeep, we decided to sit and relax for a bit on the beach and enjoy the peace and quiet.  The best part about this part of Miners Beach is that it is normally very quiet and we normally have it to ourselves.  While I sat with Max with my feet in the lake, Maddie took full advantage of our down time.  

Nap time

Imke, on the other hand, continued to explore.  Ever curious, she is always the last to relax.  Why sit still when there is so many things to smell and so many sticks to chew?

Imke the explorer

We started to head back to Munising as the rain began to fall, but couldn't resist a couple of quick stops at Miners Castle and to see the trillium in bloom.

Miners Castle

Trillium 

Before the day could end, we had to head out to Wagner Falls.  It is my favorite waterfall and I can't resist stopping any time I am in Munising.  The dogs enjoyed our stop too.

Wagner Falls

Max, Imke, and Maddie at Wagner Falls

Day 3 was rainy, gray and gloomy and I decided to venture North to Grand Marais.  This portion of the Pictured Rocks is much less dog friendly, so on a rainy day, this is a great place to go for some quick adventures.  

Dog are allowed in a small area of the beach and trail near Hurricane River.  This is one of the places we like to explore when we need a quick stop.  

Hurricane River

The rain had slowed down a bit so it was a great place to stop for a potty break and drink for the dogs and a little fun in the sand.

Max loves the sand!

A portion of the North Country Trail also runs through this area, however it has a very small section which is dog-friendly.  But on this rainy day I was determined to get in at least a mile on the trail and so we started to walk back and forth on this section of the trail.

Pushing the boundaries.

After several trips back and forth...and several people stopping us to ask what we were doing and what kind of dogs those are, we reached 1.25 miles on the trail and decided that it was time to continue our journey.

NCT

Since this is not a dog-friendly area, I made a quick stop at Sable Falls and did the 1/2 mile hike to the Grand Sable dunes overlook while the dogs patiently waited in the Jeep.  Much of the dunes are closed due to erosion, but it was worth the hike to see the view of  Lake Superior.

Sable Falls

Grand Sable Dunes

It was now time to head back to Munising after another successful day of exploring.  Although it had been a rainy, wet day, we still had a great time.  And Max was happy to just watch the world go by on our way home.  

Enjoying the scenery

Happy to say we still have two more days of fun ahead of us.  We are looking forward to what tomorrow brings our way!  Now it's time for some rest!

The adventure is about to begin

I'm so excited to say that tomorrow we'll be heading North!  It has been 4 months since my last trip to the U.P. and in my world that is far too long and I think the girls would agree with me!  They definitely know something is about to happen.  Their intuitive natures and their recognition of my routine never ceases to amaze me.

I have one bag that goes with us on every big adventure we take.  Every time I pull it out of the closet to begin to pack, Imke comes running.  And every step I take for rest of the night, Maddie follows me.  They know that bag means that we are going to be going somewhere fun and they want to make sure that they don't get left behind.  I love how excited they get about traveling with me, even when they have no idea where we're going.  And tonight was no different.

Tomorrow as I leave for work, the bag will be packed and ready so when I return home and the bag moves into my Jeep, the girls will know it's time...time for a car ride and some fun!  Maddie will pace with excitement and Imke will bark with joy.  I'm sure Max will join in with a little excited barking too, even though he has no idea what is really about to happen.  They will enthusiastically jump into the Jeep and then will be off on our next big adventure.

I'm excited to take Max to all of our normal fun stops along the way and to watch him and the girls as they explore Munising and the Pictured Rocks over the weekend.  There will of course be some hiking along the North Country Trail.  There will be wildflowers, woods, waterfalls, and maybe some wildlife.  There will be lots of sniffing and exploring every inch of every spot we stop.  There will once again be sand on my feet and sand on their paws...and invariably there will be sand in the Jeep. We will smell the fresh Lake Superior air and feel the cold, cold Lake Superior water on our toes.  We will sit in the solitude of nature and soak it all in and I will be refreshed and renewed.  I will be home...
 

Just a week in the life...

Some weeks are busy and some weeks just don't go as planned...and this week?  Well this week was a little bit of both.  Sometimes it's hard trying to be a good aunt, a good dog mom, and just a good person in general.  The last 8 days have been a whirlwind of activity trying to be all of those things.  I had commitments nearly every day this week, but was looking forward to a fun-filled week.

My nieces and nephew are the typical busy kids of today.  With schools, sports, band, dancing, and various other activities between the three of them, I'm not sure how my brother and sister-in-law keep up with it all.  I don't feel like I spend nearly enough time with them and love to see them participating in all of their awesome activities.  So last Saturday the girls and I jumped in the Jeep and headed off to Corunna for an afternoon of Inline Hockey games.

Brezlyn loves the camera

Mason relaxing after the game

Maddie and Imke 

Sunday was Mother's day and a trip to Chesaning to spend time with the family.   It was great to get to spend some time with the mother's in my life...including my grandma and my mom.

Grandma, Sidnee, Mark and Mason

Jeri Lynn, Mom, Robin and Brezlyn

Monday night was a fun-filled night volunteering for the shelter.  I spent the evening with Courage, a young pitbull from the shelter, at the Lansing Lugnuts "Bark at the Park" event.  Courage was featured on the big screen between the 2nd and 3rd innings and we spent most of the night walking around the stadium making new friends.  He was an awesome ambassador for bully breeds and for the Ingham County Animal Shelter.  And what would a ball game be without a hot dog, so of course, he got one of those too.  What a sweet and happy boy!  And even better, he was adopted at the shelter just two days later!

Courage

We hit a bump in the road on Tuesday when I learned that Max, who had been adopted just 10 days earlier, would be coming back to me.  In a very sad and unexpected turn-of-events, it was discovered that his new fur-sister was allergic to Max.  His new mom was very sad, but had to do what was best for her first baby and Max could no longer stay.  It was with much sadness and many tears that she brought him back to me Tuesday night.  We made the drive to Paw Paw to meet her (and managed to get in a quick walk on the North Country Trail along the way) and to help ease Max back into our household. I don't think he minds at all that he's back again.  And I have to admit, I don't mind having him back!  I'm just glad that I was able to take him back and to help make the situation a little easier for all involved.

 A little NCT exploration

Wednesday took me back to Chesaning for Sidnee's final Band concert.  I was impressed at how good the High School Symphonic Band was and enjoyed the concert.  Watching those 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands and then the high school...what an amazing progression.  And it took me back to my years in band and all of the fun we had.  Watching my niece perform on the same stage that I performed all those years ago is pretty neat.  Although it was a long night, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the performances.

The saxophones..Sidnee is in the 2nd chair

Thursday found me running errands and having dinner with a friend before getting to spend a little quality time out in the yard with the dogs.  After a little play time they even allowed me to get a picture.  

And finally, we made it to Friday and the weekend!  After the week I had, there were no plans other than to stay home and relax!  I think Max was happy with that choice too!  Such a snuggler. 

Max

To end our whirlwind week, Saturday we joined the Woofer Walk.  This is a great fundraising event and the dog walking club participated this year to show off our shelter dogs and to help raise funds for the anti-cruelty fund.  The girls, Max, and I all piled into the Jeep before 9am to head out to the shelter to pick up a couple of dogs for the event.  We spent some time prior to the event making new doggy friends and getting some exposure for the shelter dogs.  We then joined the 5k walk with the group.  This is the 6th time I've joined this walk and the 5th time I've done it with Maddie and Imke so they are pros.  Max was a little nervous at first, but once the walk got started he was a champ. What a great way to help out a cause I am passionate about and get to spend time with the girls too.  

The girls waiting patiently to start the walk

Vanessa and Max

Just walking the 5k

Woofer Walk 2017

Although it was a busy week, we accomplished so much.  We had some quality family time, did some good, and had a lot of fun along the way.  And thanks to Mother Nature and a little rain, we spent Saturday afternoon and evening relaxing and remembering how lucky we are and how thankful we are to have each other!

Max and Maddie