*Taps mic* Is this thing on?
Hey! Yeah, it’s been a while since I last blogged. I don’t have a good excuse, so I won’t make up a bad one. But a few of you have commented about my blog (or told me I should have a blog) in the past few days, so I decided to dust it off and put some of my NCBF fun down in writing.
Hey there! Yes, I’m still here. I’ve been volunteering all over the Mall as usual. I just haven’t had time to blog. I know you have missed me.
So, today found me at Korea, where I would be filling in for another volunteer who usually greets the Honor Flights. Honor Flight started as a way to bring World War II Veterans to DC to see the World War II Memorial. It’s a fantastic program. Now that it’s been in existence for about 10 years, may of the flights are starting to focus on also reaching Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans. The last Honor Flight of the day actually had 80 Korean War veterans, and only 8 WWII veterans. It’s usually the opposite. I had only made contact with 5 of the coordinators, but I knew it was going to be a busy day.
I spent the final day of 2016 at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. I would have loved to end the year where I began it, but WAMO is closed for at least another 2 1/2 years, so other sites get my attention these days. It was a beautiful day. Crisp, cool, but sunny most of the day and there wasn’t a whole lot of wind. I spent my day either at the desk in the Korea contact station, or inside the Memorial. Continue reading
I spent the last day of 2015 at the Washington Monument. It was a fun and very memorable day. Continue reading
So, remember during BioBlitz and Centennial setup, when everyone kept calling me Stacy?
Our VIP newsletter came via e-mail today, and in it, I found this:
I’m thinking of just changing my name.
I was at the World War II Memorial on Saturday. There were a lot of volunteers there, but most were hanging out in the contact station, so I spent a lot of time in the memorial. It was a little chilly and windy, but in the sun it actually got warm enough for me to take my earmuffs and gloves off. Visitors came in groups–sometimes the memorial was very crowded and sometimes it was nearly empty. Continue reading
Every year, sometime between July and November, NPS gathers all of us (well, as many of us as possible) and we have a party. Awards are given out, lunch is served, and we all leave with a lovely parting gift. Continue reading
Ceremonies are always moving experiences. I’ve been fortunate to volunteer at several in recent years, and the Veterans I am fortunate to meet stick with me forever. I initially thought I wouldn’t be able to make this year’s Veterans Day ceremony, because I was supposed to be traveling for work. I still have my job, but the trip was canceled. A bit of a bummer, but I was definitely excited I was able to participate in the National Park Service/Friends of the National World War II Memorial joint ceremony. As in the past, I was selected to escort a Veteran during the wreath-laying.
Halloween at WAMO! What could be more fun?!
I have 2 choices today: volunteer on the National Mall, or sit at home and be a big slug. I have an hour to decide. (Present-day note: I decided to go in.) Continue reading
I’ve been sick this week, so I had to call out of my scheduled Friday at WWII. It’s harder for me to call out of volunteering than it is to call out of work, so that tells you how bad I felt. But, I was feeling a little better on Saturday, so I headed in for a shift at Korea. Added bonus: One of my Ranger friends was able to join me for the afternoon. Continue reading
Cart Czar Confessions 