Proud to be an American

“Since America felt it was important to build a memorial to the service and the ultimate sacrifice of her veterans, the Honor Flight Network believes it’s equally important that they actually get to visit and experience THEIR memorial.”

For those who haven’t heard about Honor Flight, it is a group that provides a free day-trip to DC for WWII veterans (along with some Korean and Vietnam vets) to tour the monuments that were built in their honor. I think this is such a wonderful service to provide for these heroic individuals! We have had multiple veterans travel on this flight from our area. However, most recently, one of my favorite older gentlemen here in Huntsville got to go…Mr. Newman.



Mr. Newman attends the same congregation as Seth and I. Seth grew up knowing the Newmans…I have only gotten to know Mr. Newman during the past couple years that Seth and I have been married. But he has found a special place in my heart...he reminds me so much of my granddad who passed away a few years ago.

I was so excited for Mr. Newman when he told me and Seth that he was going to get to attend the next Honor Flight trip out of Huntsville! I cannot wait to visit with him and hear his stories from the trip! The folks who fund and support Honor Flight deserve a huge round of applause in my opinion. They recognize that our WWII veterans are a dying generation and deserve all the respect we can give them while they are still here to share their experiences.

My granddad was so proud of his service for the US Navy. He and my grandmother attended his battleship reunions EVERY year up until he passed away…my grandmother still goes when she can. I can remember Adam dressing up in my granddad's Navy uniform when he was little...I even played "Anchors Aweigh," the US Navy's anthem, at my one (and only) piano recital. I think being around him made me appreciate so much more the service that those in the military provide to our country. It is a service that I don’t think I would be brave enough to do…but I am SOOO thankful for all those who have served in the past and continue to serve today!!

(My granddad...Daddy Phillips :) ...is the second from the left. He was pictured here in 2004 with the only few remaining original crewmen of the USS Iowa.)


“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”

The End of an Era

Last week, Caleb played his last home game as a Madison County High School baseball player. Senior Night came way too quickly this year. It seems like the season just started. Yet Senior Night has come and gone, and today is their last game. Seth and Caleb have both worked very hard this year, and I am proud of both of them!

We had quite a few seniors this year! I'm sure the team will miss them greatly! They are some talented young men!