Independence Day 2008
The Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard was asked to present the colors at Napa’s Independence Day fair. We took the whole family and had a great time. Many of you have asked me what Chris does in the USAF. Usually he maintains the communication/navigation systems on a KC-10 (a refueler). He was given the honor of a one year special duty assignment to the Honor Guard last August, and it has been a wonderful year. Chris has served at many Color Ceremonies, and given tribute at hundreds of funerals of both retirees and active duty military members. The Honor Guard also gives service at dignified transfers, when our fallen return home via Travis. The ceremonies he performs are beautiful, dignified, patriotic and very moving, as they are done with a respect and reverence that is not commonly seen in our world today. He always makes me proud. Soon he will be returning to the desert for another deployment, so this is one of his last ceremonies. It is the first one the kids have been able to attend.
After the ceremony we hung around for games, fireworks & fun 
Jonas’ flag
Maggie made that crown at a booth- it is positively loaded with glued on bits lol! It wasn’t quite dry when we put it on, and it ended up glueing to hr head a bit ooops! At least it stayed on all night! Oh, and we are not officially supporting any particular presidential canidate at this time, despite the sticker. Maggie will support anyone who gives her a free sticker, which is why 3 year olds don’t get to vote. Too bad their wasn’t a Republican booth at the fair - we could have evened her out lol!
The kids wanted to go rock climbing. Here they are all harnessed up!
There they go! They didn’t make it to the top- Jonas got scared (yes, the same kid who climbed the neighbor’s roof got scared- go figure) and Maggie thought that freefalling down was the whole point, so she would get half-way up and drop.
Hope you had a Happy Independence Day!
Those are gorgeous photos Leah- looks like it was a fab day
)
Comment by Angie W — July 7, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
Lovley pics, all of them
Comment by Linda — July 7, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
You know I always see the color guards at parades and such and never appreciated what they do outside of being a color guard - thanks for sharing your pics! Really looks like a fun day.
Comment by Aimee — July 8, 2008 @ 4:03 am
What a great day! Looks like the kids had fun and Chris looks so cool in his Honour Guard get up. I bet he’ll miss it. Be tough while he’s gone! You’ll be in my prayers.
Comment by Margarite — July 8, 2008 @ 4:50 am
Great pics! Your son looks so much like his dad!!
Comment by staceymichu — July 8, 2008 @ 5:06 am
beautiful photos~ I’m glad you had a great time with the kids~
Comment by Christi Wright — July 8, 2008 @ 6:39 am
love the pictures I cant wait to see the wonderful layouts that will transform them into something more. P.S the one with Jonas and the flag please crop out the lady in the background eating and who is obliviously excited! lol
Comment by crystal carlsen — July 8, 2008 @ 7:20 am
Awesome pictures!!! TFS!
Comment by JoNell — July 8, 2008 @ 7:41 am
I can’t believe that we are neighbors! I live in Elk Grove! And I am Travis about once a month! How funny! what a wonderful honor for your husband! I was in the Marine Corps and my husband in the Navy. We both were in Desert Shield and all of Desert Storm. The honor that Chris has now is truly fantastic…because a many friend has been come home with a flag draped. Tell him thanks from the bottom of my heart!
The photos of your kids are fab…I love the photo were they are ready (with their gear on) too cute! Looks like a lovely day!
take care,
Robyn
P.S. Come and stop by my blog and say hello!
Comment by Robyn Haas — July 8, 2008 @ 8:02 am
What beautiful photos Leah. Chris looks very nice in his uniform. What an honor for him to be doing this assignment. Maggie is super cute. And Jonas was scared to go to the top? I bet they had a blast.
Comment by Selena Kimsey — July 8, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Thank your husband for all of us, for all he does. I had a color guard at my husband’s funeral (non-active at time of death) and it meant so much to my father and father-in-law (who both served during WWII. I can truly understand why you are so proud of him.
Comment by Susana — July 8, 2008 @ 11:31 am
Thank your husband for the serving. What an honor to be able to do that special duty. Love all your photos. Looks like you guys had a wonderful 4th.
Comment by AmandaO — July 8, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Looks like you all had a wonderful 4th!!!! WHat an honor it is for your husband to be a part of the honor guard!! Looks like the kiddos had a wonderful time!!!
Comment by Julie Kelley — July 8, 2008 @ 6:39 pm