Random Monday

Enjoyed visiting with Mike, Ann, and Spot aboard Traveling Soul. Spot enjoys a leisurely stroll on leash!

Found time to find and log a Geocache, The Guiding Light, hidden at the Portsmouth Lightship.

Memorial Weekend - Portsmouth, Virginia

It was fitting to visit Cedar Grove Cemetery today in honor of fallen heroes this Memorial Weekend. The cemetery was established in 1832 and includes many grave sites from The War of 1812, Revolutionary War, Civil War on up to WWII. We then continued to tour the town on our bikes.

Our transportation today seen through the port hole windows of the Lightship Portsmouth

Memorial Weekend - Our Family of Veterans

In honor of my Uncle Adley Benoit who died in WWII combat.

My father always spoke so fondly of his love for his older brother and the fact that his family never knew exactly where he was buried.  It wasn't until after his Mother and Father had died that a family friend of another brother, Uncle H.P. actually located and took the photo of his gravestone in Europe.

He was 20 years old when he gave his life while manning the gun in a bomber over Germany in 1944. His

Bomber aircraft, 41-82924, was hit by Flak between the number three and the number four engine. The Left wing folded as the plane erupted into a fireball. The burning hulk entered a mad spiral and crashed near Mannheim, Germany. The Co-Pilot, Lt Clifford Unwin, was the only survivor. He is buried at The Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium.

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/ardennes-american-cemetery#.VWM60E9Viko

Although, this holiday is about our brave veterans that died during combat, I was fortunate enough to gain more information about our family members that are veterans.  I want to take this time to honor them as this information is fresh on my database. In no way do I mean it to over shadow our fallen service members during combat. This is an account for my records for future generations.

The Benoit Family consists of 13 children, Three daughters, Una, Mae, and Gene. Ten brothers, Fernest, Roland, Adley, Emery, Felix, Kenny, Wilford (Shorty), James (Pete), Martin Esteve (Steve, my father), Harris Paul (H.P.)

I will take this moment to honor my father and his brothers, my son,  my uncle on my mother's side of the our family, my cousin, Charlie's father, Uncle, and brother that have and/or are proudly serving our country, and thankfully have not died in combat.

My Father, Martin Esteve (Steve)

Roland

Kenny

Harris Paul (H.P.)

My son, Alex, is currently serving us proudly.

My #1 Son, Alex Esteve

My Mother's brother-in-law, Cornelius (Pete) Abraham was unfortunately a Prisoner of War while serving our country during WWII. He served time in a concentration camp. He survived and earned a Purple Heart for his courageous battle and service for our freedom. His wife, my mother's sister, had been notified that he had died. It was a very long time before they were notified his was alive and a P.O.W.  Thankfully, he lived a very prosperous life back home with his loving family.

My cousin, Jeremy McGuire proudly served our country in the USMC

Jeremy McGuire

Charlie's Father, Woody along with his brother, Dalton  proudly served our country. Woody served in the USMC.  His brother served in the Air force.

Woody and Dalton Woodard

Dalton  and Woody Woodard

Charlie's brother, Roger proudly served in the USMC.

Roger Woodard

Thank you all for your service and leaving our future generations a legacy of such honor.

Busy Friday

We have accomplished a lot today. Finally succeeded in having DirectTV and Trac Vision Satellite peeps correctly install our 4 TVs to receive satellite signal and Trac Vision Satellite while underway and in port.  That only took four weeks of grueling work and exponential hours of effort and pain via telephone "communications/scheduling" (That's all I'll say about that nightmare).
Garmin has made another new friend on the docks here. The three of us have enjoyed hair salons/nail salons/dog grooming, provisioning, prescription refills, fun shopping, necessity shopping and are now settling in for the holiday weekend.  Knowing the waterways will be filled with busy boaters who are just now starting their boating season, we are content with staying in port, enjoying the water views, dock neighbors, and relaxing after a month long stretch of the Great Loop!

These two new friends run like the wind off leash along the long dock and are so cute together.

Yes, a Human from Direct TV does exist and he's extremely knowledgeable and productive!  We thank you Brian!

Tiki umbrella shade! Fold 'n' Go!

I'm so fascinated with tunnels! Love these modern marvels.

Party on....excellent!  Love our neighbor!

The ARM CUAUHTEMOC Tall Sailing Ship

The ARM CUAUHTEMOC, commissioned under the Mexican Navy, sails with 55 officers, 74 cadets and 120 enlisted crew members. Launched in July 1982, the vessel is 270 ft with her homeport in Acapulco, Mexico. The CUAUHTEMOC serves Mexico as the training vessel for the Mexican Navy, a role she has fulfilled for more than twenty years. She participates in worldwide tall ship events while teaching the essential elements of seamanship and navigation, taking more than one hundred cadets to sea for each of its cruises. The program helps develop individual leadership skills and teambuilding skills while at sea.

On Thursday, May 21, 2015, the “ARM CUAUHTEMOC” arrived in Downtown Norfolk, docking at Otter Berth next to Waterside.  The City of Norfolk is the only US port call for the ship’s 2015 sail training tour.

Random Wednesday