Whew – a long, hectic day!

I started the day off bad – waking up late, and not knowing it for nearly a half hour! Then I saw what time it was, and got dressed in about 10 minutes, ran down stairs and joined the crowds waiting to get on the bus for the Museum and Quantico.  Turns out I probably could have taken my time, as it took us quite to board the buses. We had one too few, so that was interesting.

After a bumpy bus ride, complete with water dripping off the AC ducts onto us, we arrived at the Marine Museum. I’ve seen my fair share of museums, but this is one of the best. It’s not huge, but it’s beautiful, and has tons of exciting exhibits that are just packed with information. Here’s the view as you approach the building.

I could post a lot of pictures from the museum, but won’t right now. After several hours there, we headed off for Quantico and Raider Hall.

We arrived, looked through the hall, and after a martial arts exhibition we waited and waited and waited for the chow line to die down. I was about 15 people from finally eating (not having had breakfast) when I was told the Memorial Service had started! Since I was slated to give the closing prayer, I got going!

After a long and unusual Invocation by Chaplain Emertius Shirl P. Butler (a retired Minister, and squad mate of Dad’s) we had the reading of those who’ve died in the last year, a great speech by former Commandant General Al Gray, we didn’t even have a closing prayer do to everyone wanting to see the Raider Bricks! (In hindsight I should have eaten that burger – I know it had my name on it!)

I bought Dad a brick about two years ago, and am happy it’s finally out there for everyone to see. Each Battalion has it’s bricks separately, and the KIA’s (Raider who died in the war) have their own place of honor as they should. They’ve also put in a huge Raider Patch too. Very cool.

Here’s two picks of Dad’s brick, one close up, one a little backed off.

All in all it was a heck of a day!

Tomorrow, something interesting should happen, but I can’t tell you about it now. So turn in tomorrow night and see if it all works out!