Nov. 10, 2009

From Spring Branch, Texas.
Another gorgeous day in hill country. Paul and Ann had a golf tournament and meeting during the day. Ken and Sylvia Harwood came up from San Antonio. We went to a bar and grill on US-281 for lunch. The Shade Tree wasn’t very busy in spite of the number of cars parked out front. Turns out there is a parking lot for motorcycles on the side , that’s where the real customers park. This is a biker bar. We sat on a porch like area. The lunch special was a Rueben Sandwich with homemade potato chips. We all had the special, it was one of the best Rueben’s I have had. Toasted to perfection and piled with kraut and corn beef.
Glenna called and we chatted for awhile. I guess she wanted to make sure we weren’t planning to leave her in Corpus.
I went geocaching in the late afternoon. Since I have been here a couple of times the nearest caches weren’t very near. I bagged two and couldn’t find one. There is a geocaching event this Saturday, but we are committed to a dinner honoring Veterans. One of the caches I found was packed with travel bugs in preparation for the event. I discovered them all except one that I couldn’t read the number.
Ann had a book club meeting, we never saw Paul. In the evening Paul and I played WoW.
Maybe it was because today is the 234th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps, I noticed how the setting sun lit up the flag we fly above our coach. The sun actually lit up the flag, it’s nylon and the light passes through. I thought of all the Marines, and all veterans, who have served this country. So many sacrificed all so that we can enjoy our liberties and freedom. There are many who sacrificed limbs and health, we owe them all a debt of gratitude. I think everyone knows the Marine Corps’ motto; Semper Fidelis. As beneficiaries of their service, that should also be our individual and collective motto, Always Faithful. Faithfull to the promises that were made the men and women when they agreed to serve and swore an oath to defend this country and it’s constitution.
I thought too of a special Marine. Theodore Eugene Wisnewski, my step father. He left the coal mines of West Virginia to join the Marines. He fought through out the Pacific and made a career of the Marine Corps. He served during two other wars and most of the cold war. I also thought of another veteran today and his influence in my life. Arvid J. Barnhart, my father-in-law. He was an Air Force veteran of three wars. These two men, so different in personality, education and background shared so many things. Both loved this country, their families and set examples of hard work and responsibilities. These two heroes, along with so many like them, are gone but remain in our hearts and minds.
I pray that their sacrifices were not in vain and the leaders of this country adhere to Semper Fidelis. Faithful to the constitution and foundations of this country, and turn from embracing socialism. If not our veterans served in vain.