Memorial Day Weekend - 80th Birthday Celebration

On Memorial Weekend Evie's siblings and their children gathered in Leola to celebrate Dorothy's 80th birthday. This was the first time that Dorothy's three children, five grandchildren and and three great-grandchildren have been together at the same time. The only person missing was Adam, Krista's husband, who had to remain behind because he had to work that weekend.

The following pictures were taken Sunday afternoon.

Pride and Embarrassment Comingled

Have you ever had one of those moments where you feel pride and embarrassment at the same time? Last evening Evie and I had such an experience when we attended the Oakton Band’s final event, the annual awards banquet.

With Josh not attending we were going to skip the banquet. We changed our minds when the Band Director emailed us Monday asking us to attend as she wanted to formally present an award before Josh’s peers and us. So we spent 4.5 hours last night at the banquet.

At the end of the year concert a week ago seniors are allowed to do short solos. About half of the students do something. Josh was one of two seniors allowed to do an extended solo and to be accompanied by Symphonic Band. Prior to the closing of the closing of the concert with Symphonic Band’s last item, Josh played excerpts from Ferdinand David’s “Concertino Opus 4 for Trombone and Piano”. Following his solo Dr. Newton announced that Josh was leaving in two days to march with the Crossmen. As such she announced that Josh was being awarded the “Music Department Award” which is given to one student in the music department. It was the first year in several years that it was being awarded to a band student (between the orchestra, band and vocal programs there are over 600 students). We knew he was lettering again this year and would receive a certificate for being in district band, but we were not expecting to have his name announced thirteen times for various awards and certificates.

Besides the Music Department Award, he received thirteen other awards and recognitions, some of which are voted upon by his peers:
- The US Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Music Excellence and Leadership, an award not given every year.
- The John Philip Sousa Band Award, to top award for Symphonic Band
- Marching Band Award for Best Marcher
- Marching Band Award for Most Dependable Member
- Marching Band Esprit de Corps Award
- Concert I Award for Most Dependable Member
- Jazz Band A Award for Best Trombone
- 5280 Award for going the extra mile (working hard)
- Louisiana State University Golden Oaks Award was sent to his director from LSU
- Academic Letter from Oakton High School for academic achievement
- District Band Certificate
- Service Pin to add to the Band Letter he won in a previous year
- Band Medallion for lettering for a fourth time
Though he was not physically present, in many ways he was present. We were proud of Josh, yet we started to feel a little self-conscious and embarrassed by the high frequency his name was being called for recognition.

Several times throughout the evening his peers made mention of him. One of the most touching moments for Evie and I, and the highlight of the evening, was when the senior representative spoke. Katherine presented a well crafted and thoughtful short speech. She noted that when Josh left the after Prom party that one of those at the party said, “There goes a man who we may never see again.”

Josh has been truly blessed with a host of quality friends who have grown to be upright young men and women, who in their own way have helped Josh along the road and hold a special place in his heart. Several of them mentioned that they have already bought their tickets to the Warrenton show and will be there in August cheering on him and the Crossmen.

With temperatures going into the mid 90s Jonathan is having a busy, yet special weekend. The sister of his girlfriend is getting married this morning at ten. Besides attending the rehearsal dinner with Maggie he has the wedding to attend today. In July they will be traveling to Philadelphia to attend the wedding of one of Maggie’s friends.

Captial Hill 3

Here are additional pictures from Capital Hill. The first is of the Rotunda. The second is one of the paintings....George Washington resigning from the Army following the War of Independance.

Above is a statue of Lincoln located in the Rotunda. Below is artwork that is just below the Rotunda's dom. The scenes, each split by a tree, depict the building of the nation.

Above is a statue of President Andrew Jackson and celebrates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Below is a statue of General Robert E Lee that is located in the hall of statues (old House of Representatives).

While we visited the House, no picture taking is allowed. Hence in keeping with the no picture tradition, I had to turn in my camera to security for them to hold until I returned.

Captial Hill 2

Below are another series of pictures taken Monday on Capital Hill. The first picture is the heaviest sculpture in the building. The sculpture located in the Rotunda honors three women who pioneered the women's sufferage movement. Following it is a statue located in the old House Chamber that I found most interesting. This statue is of Jefferson Davis who was the President of the Confederate States, and thereby was a prime mover in dividing the United States. Each state selects the two statues they wish to represent their state, and Mississippi has selected Davis to be one of its two statues and the rest of the country has no say.

Above is the old House Chamber prior to the Capital building was enlarged in the mid 1800s. The old chamber is now used to display statues. Below is a picture of the Rotunda.

Following is three pictures that have been combined into one picture. The full picture is about 90 inches by 36 inches.

Captial Hill 1

On Monday I my day was filled with giving three visitors from India a sightseeing tour of Washington DC. The major event on the schedule was a staff led two hour tour of Capital Hill that I had arranged with a Congressman from Iowa. Below are a few pictures taken during the tour.

There will be more pictures posted tomorrow. The first is the inside the Rotunda looking up into the Capital Hill Dome.

Below is the a crystal chandelier containing 20,000 plus crystals.

Above is a hallway on the House side. Below are two pictures of the Supreme Court from 1810 to 1860 when the Supreme Court building was completed. The Supreme Court was housed inside the Capital (below the Rotunda and to the House side). This was the site of the infamous Dred Scott decision.