Monday, January 29, 2007
Check it Out!
Check out startelegram.com for pictures of the ceremony and US!! If it doesnt work, google Intrepid Center http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/16572881.htm
Purple Heart Ceremony
We made it in time to give luke his uniform and time to get ready before the ceremony started. 8-9 Purple Hearts were given out during this particular ceremony, although they are held every month or everyother month. The Secretary of the Army gave the Purple Hearts out, which was a real honor for the men standing on the stage. Each name was read of the recipient and their family members present. The whole thing was video-taped as well as formal pictures were taken that Luke will receive later. The ceremony was short but very honorable. Afterwards, the recipients lined up and the crowd walked by to thank and congratulate them.
Later that night, we were invited to a BBQ. And being Texas, we thought in the park across the street from the barracks...but OH NO. We were down town on the River Walk at the La Villita with open bar, wonderful food and celeberties walking around. We walked around and talked to those we knew and shook hands with some dignitaries and had our picture taken with Mr Fisher. Not expected at all, but we were told that when the Fishers' hold a party..its a party. Beautiful event protected by many secret service and security that was tight the last two days. With their ear-peices and suits, makes one nervous just using a cell-phone around them. The major funding of the Center of the Intrepid and Fisher Houses was recognized along with the soldiers and their families. To end the night Big and Rich sang well into the evening.
Later that night, we were invited to a BBQ. And being Texas, we thought in the park across the street from the barracks...but OH NO. We were down town on the River Walk at the La Villita with open bar, wonderful food and celeberties walking around. We walked around and talked to those we knew and shook hands with some dignitaries and had our picture taken with Mr Fisher. Not expected at all, but we were told that when the Fishers' hold a party..its a party. Beautiful event protected by many secret service and security that was tight the last two days. With their ear-peices and suits, makes one nervous just using a cell-phone around them. The major funding of the Center of the Intrepid and Fisher Houses was recognized along with the soldiers and their families. To end the night Big and Rich sang well into the evening.
Intrepid Center
I may as well write this while its fresh in my mind. Today was amazing, something I never expected. We have met some important and very wealthy people along the way. Luke and the guys can never be given enough credit for what they go through, but this center is the beginning of getting them back to the lives they lived before, or at least close. Today was the opening of the Intrepid Center and the two new Fisher Houses. What beautiful buildings! The Intrepid Center includes 4 floors dedicated to the rehab, prosthetics, and fun of course. In the center you can find a weapon simulater, a 360 degree virtual simulator (only one in the world!) a wave pool that provides a wave maybe 8 feet high for work on balance coordination and of course..surfing. The pool area also has a pool equipped with kayaks, basketball hoops, and other great therapy activities. The rock wall is also pretty amazing to look at, starting on the 3rd floor extending to the 4th right next to the indoor track..close enough the guys joke about jumping from one to the other. We had a showing of the upper extremity lab today, and holy! they can do such a realistic job on creating hands and arms for the soldiers. I met Solo-Santana today who has a prosthetic arm and hand, and you couldn't tell at all. There were drawn in veins, hair, wrinkles and even realistic fingernails. While walking through the center we had a chance to meet the guy who writes Dunsberry, another General who is a below the knee amputee and many others who showed their respect for Luke and the family. The 4 star general even offered to marry us there on the spot...ha..we both gave a real scared look at that. :) I cant describe everything about the day, just amazing and hopefully you Google it or get the chance to check it out yourself.
The new Fisher Houses are beautiful, the biggest built to the day. Both provide 21 more rooms at BAMC for the families and soldiers. So all those to bought t-shirts, now you are able to see what your money can do! The kitchens are huge with 3-4 fridges, 3 sets of laundry equipment, all flat screen, HDTVs around the house, and of course rooms that you only see in magazines. The houses also provide a child center, where finally the small children who are moved down here have a nice play area and, I believe, a care taker so the the parents can enjoy time too. I think one of the most important people for me to meet the last two days was Mr. Fisher (one of them). He is the most grateful man I have ever met. We said thanks a million times, but he said the soldiers are the only ones who deserve that. There are pictures scattered on so many papers, cameras and ect that I wish I could get a handle on. As Luke and I were walking through the Fisher Courtyard yesterday, we were taken pictures of and interviewed for random papers and TV programs. Luke's answers were professional and the photo-shoots we all took part of, felt overwhelming. The flashes going off one after another before you can even blink. I will write more later hopefully, I just woke up from a nap, still catching up after driving the distance Saturday and Sunday.
Famous People Present: (note: I cant spell these)
Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton
Many majors and secretaries of different departments
Rosie O'Donnell
John Melancamp
Big and Rich
some country music girl--sings a song named Hero?
The Fisher Family- lots of them!
The Ultimate Fighting Champion- name..no idea
a famous actress..name escapes me now- I'll remember later
I'm sure others, but I would not have recognized them
The new Fisher Houses are beautiful, the biggest built to the day. Both provide 21 more rooms at BAMC for the families and soldiers. So all those to bought t-shirts, now you are able to see what your money can do! The kitchens are huge with 3-4 fridges, 3 sets of laundry equipment, all flat screen, HDTVs around the house, and of course rooms that you only see in magazines. The houses also provide a child center, where finally the small children who are moved down here have a nice play area and, I believe, a care taker so the the parents can enjoy time too. I think one of the most important people for me to meet the last two days was Mr. Fisher (one of them). He is the most grateful man I have ever met. We said thanks a million times, but he said the soldiers are the only ones who deserve that. There are pictures scattered on so many papers, cameras and ect that I wish I could get a handle on. As Luke and I were walking through the Fisher Courtyard yesterday, we were taken pictures of and interviewed for random papers and TV programs. Luke's answers were professional and the photo-shoots we all took part of, felt overwhelming. The flashes going off one after another before you can even blink. I will write more later hopefully, I just woke up from a nap, still catching up after driving the distance Saturday and Sunday.
Famous People Present: (note: I cant spell these)
Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton
Many majors and secretaries of different departments
Rosie O'Donnell
John Melancamp
Big and Rich
some country music girl--sings a song named Hero?
The Fisher Family- lots of them!
The Ultimate Fighting Champion- name..no idea
a famous actress..name escapes me now- I'll remember later
I'm sure others, but I would not have recognized them
Purple Heart and Intrepid Center
Sorry for the delay in the pictures of the Purple Heart Ceremony and Intrepid Center Grand Opening. I am having difficulties with my software..of course. They will be up soon.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Tiny Update
Wow, well the 30 days of leave are over..bummer. but Luke said he was ready to get back down there and get working so he can come home earlier if he can. this break is the longest consecutive time we have Ever been together..and it was sure nice.
Tim and I will be driving down to Texas starting on the 29th..yes Driving..ha. Luke bought his dream..a F-150 Super Cab pickup. They moved the pedals over so its easier for him to drive. nice truck! anyway- we are going down to see the opening of the Intrepid Center..check it out on the Internet if you haven't heard of it. Its a big deal.
It sounds like Luke has a ski-trip in the middle of February in CO! Lots of snow for him.
Now for the bummer news that everyone knows. The guys have been extended for an undetermined amount of time. The families of course are all bummed and you can tell the disappointment when the guys talk about it. There are lots of rumors of where they are going, why and when they are coming home. They haven't received any orders yet, so they don't know..their contract says 605 days I believe..but that can always be broken. The rumors say 125 days + but they are just that, rumors..so don't believe everything you hear :)
So get those care packages out and still support them!
Tim and I will be driving down to Texas starting on the 29th..yes Driving..ha. Luke bought his dream..a F-150 Super Cab pickup. They moved the pedals over so its easier for him to drive. nice truck! anyway- we are going down to see the opening of the Intrepid Center..check it out on the Internet if you haven't heard of it. Its a big deal.
It sounds like Luke has a ski-trip in the middle of February in CO! Lots of snow for him.
Now for the bummer news that everyone knows. The guys have been extended for an undetermined amount of time. The families of course are all bummed and you can tell the disappointment when the guys talk about it. There are lots of rumors of where they are going, why and when they are coming home. They haven't received any orders yet, so they don't know..their contract says 605 days I believe..but that can always be broken. The rumors say 125 days + but they are just that, rumors..so don't believe everything you hear :)
So get those care packages out and still support them!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Our Christmas Picture
