First Full Wedding At Museum

The first full wedding and reception were held at the Museum over Memorial Day weekend. Below is my favorite shot of the snap shots that I took. The bride and her father.

The exciting thing was, this was a Marine Corps wedding. The very first wedding reception held at the museum was for two Air Force NCOs. It is a cool museum, better atmosphere than the O Clubs or NCO clubs at area bases.

We also had the small wedding reception in the Mess Hall for a Marine Wedding, but they got married off site.

The museum is trying to market itself as a wedding event destination, especially for military weddings. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation even hired their own photographer to come to photograph the set-up so they can use it in brochures and print ads. If I ever get married, I would have at least my reception at the Museum because of my involvement here for the past six years (yes, can you believe it will be six years in July!). I think in the summer of 2009 the chapel is suppose to be completed and if it is as stunning as the artist's concept, well, I"m sure it will be a popular wedding location.

The groom is a 2nd LT and 2007 Naval Academy graduate. Several of his classmates were groomsmen. While the groom is getting his mug shot by the wedding photogs, I got a shot of the groomsmen primping. Gotta make sure the ribbons and buttons are all in the right place.

While the groom and his men were getting 'shot' out front, the museum catering staff was busily setting up. Here are the results. (Melissa are you getting some ideas?) The tables are decked out with red rose petals, cloth napkins and fish bowl centerpieces containing live Tetras.

The bar is always set up next to the Tarawa exhibit.

Below, the fruit, veggie, cheese and cracker station, they had two of these set-up. In addition, for the younger set, they had a candy 'bar' station. I have never seen such big bowls filled with M&Ms, gummy worms and skittles in my life! All in the red and white theme. The main course was served at their tables and was a choice between salmon or prime rib.

The bride and groom opted for the assorted dessert selection. I'm getting hungry! Gosh that chocolate cheese cake looks AMAZING!

I have never seen a cake topper like this. Clearly fishing was a theme to their wedding, in addition to the fish bowls on the tables, guests were asked to sign a giant platter that had fish painted on it.

The bridal party arrives. The bride was so excited about how beautiful everything looked inside. But to my horror, the Docent lounge was to be the "Bride's room" Had I known that, I would have cleaned the place up a bit.

Here the Maid of Honor helps the bride with her veil.

The bride poses with Rebecca, the special events co-ordinator at the museum.

Well, there was a little stressing out. Amazingly, the bride was not the one stressing out. To calm everyone's nerves, one of the bridesmaids started a round of "If You're Happy and You know It!"

Its Showtime!

The bridal party made their entrance from the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. I'm sure the photos the photographer took of them coming through the archway were cool.

Seating was set up in front of the museum. I think I would recommend a future bride have a black curtain errected behind the minister and infront of the museum doors, that way you don't get a bunch of wedding pictures with the "Enter" and "Exit" signs. I think the image below is stunning. I'm sure their photographer got some great images.

The happy couple pose with their parents for photographs after the ceremony. This was taken within the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park area.

Memorial Day Thoughts

Portrait left at the World War 2 Memorial.

Bouquets of silk roses were left at all of the War Memorials in Wasington, DC. In addition, family members and friends leave momentos of their family members and friends. When I see these photos, I often wonder about the story behind the photo. Was this taken before he went to war? Was he an older or younger brother? Was he married or did he have a girlfriend (he looks too young to be married). How old was he? Did he make it home a live?

It was a crowded weekend in DC. There were lines EVERYWHERE!






Above, some members of Rolling Thunder at the World War 2 Memorial. I took a walk around the memorial and didn't see any WW2 veterans. Doesn't mean they weren't there, it was quite crowded.

Below, the Vietnam Wall. I didn't even try to get in the lines that started on either end. They were so long!

Below, a lesser visited monument, the World War 1 Memorial (if you notice, it says World War Memorial) They had no idea another war, 25 years later, would suck the nations of the world into another bitter fight. This makes me wonder what conflicts will we be involved in 25 years from now. I mean, 14 years ago, did any of us have an inkling that we'd be in Afghanistan and Iraq?

When I first moved here to DC, this structure was hidden behind overgrown bushes and weeds. I'm not sure when it was "restored", maybe 5 years ago. It is located on the eastern side of the lawn between the World War 2 Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The silk bouquets haven't been disturbed.

No crowds or lines here. A perfect refuge to reflect on sacrifices of military men and women and their families over the years. I have to wonder, will there be a time when the other memorials are this quiet on Memorial Day weekend?

The Korean War Memorial. This was crowded, but not as much as the Vietnam Wall or World War 2. I like the message on the wreath from the South Korean Ambassador "We are Today Because Such Men Where Then".

Above, the sculpture honoring Vietnam war nurses. There is a sculpture honoring World War 2 nurses somewhere in Arlington Cemetary. I will have to find it someday when I have time. Below is a message left by a grateful patient.

Near the Vietnam Wall, an organization bringing attention to the deaths after the Vietnam War that were attributed to Agent Orange exposure had quilts displayed. The quilt patches were made by family members honoring their vetrans. This was one of my favorite patches because it contained so many photos (if you haven't guessed, I'm really into photographs). The photos depict the Marine as a young boy, a young man, a Marine in Vietnam, and as a husband and father after the war. This Marine veteran, developed cancer related to exposure to Agent Orange and later died.

Another quilt patch that I also liked had the dates of birth of the veteran, the date he enlisted in the Air Force, the dates he was in Vietnam, and the date of his death due to cancer. Spread throughout the this patch were small hand print appliques with the first name of a grand child and their dates of birth - - all after the veteran's own death. For some reason that choked me up, all his grand children he missed meeting were represented on that patch.

I will now leave you with one final bike. Is this not loaded? I had to inspect it a bit more closely.

Yes, that is an aligator head, a lizard, turtle and some headless bird.

More Tribute Bikes

Tribute Bikes Honor Fallen Marines at Museum

Beautiful.

That describes it all, beautiful bikes, beautiful day, beautiful visit at the Museum. I played guest on Saturday, one of my rare chances to roam the museum and not feel like a slacker.

The bike I'd like to tell you about first was designed by Lawrence Tremblay in honor of his son Joey and three other Marines from 3/25, 4th Battalion who lost their lives in Iraq. I talked to Mr. Tremblay briefly. I wish I had read the information on this bike prior to my visit because I would have paid more attention to the details that have been lovingly put into this machine.

I caught the general designs such as the eagle clutching the banner in its claws and the images of the four fallen Marines.

But I missed the details, such as the challenge coins placed in the foot rest, the Marine Corps buttons from a dress uniform going up the tube (located under the gas tanks for all us non-biking readers) and the non-commissioned officer's sword acting as the suicide shifter. If you click on the first photo of this bike, you will be taken to my flickr account where you can choose the size of the photo. If you choose original, you will notice these details. You can read more about the making of this piece of roaring art work (yes, Mr. Tremblay rides the bike in rides) at Marine Tribute Bike.

While this bike honors all 48 Marines lost during 4th Battalion's deployment in 2005, the featured Marines are Corporal Joseph Tremblay, Corporal Bryan J. Richardson, Staff Sergeant Joseph Goodrich and Lance Corporal Ryan Kovacicek.

Now, take a look at the some of the details on this Monster of a Bike It has a doubel gas tank and boy does its engine roar. When it was started up, it brought back childhood memories of my grandpa's boat, which sounded much the same.

Take a look at the 50 cal trim and the ammo box mounted on front - - and the hand grenade foot rests. This bike that just screams "Go ahead, make my day!", honors Sgt. Joshua Frazier.

More bikes in the morning! Its been an incredible weekend!

Mommy, can I meet a Marine?

A lady and her daughter came to the front desk of the museum this morning. The Marine politely asked how he could help them.

"We were looking at the pictures back there, and my daughter asked me, 'Mommy, can I meet a Marine?' so I brought her up here so she could meet a Marine."



Cpl Seymore knelt down and told her he had a son about her age and he asked her if she wanted to be a Marine when she grew up?

"No, I want to be a mommy."

We all got a good chuckle. Then she gave Seymore a big hug.

What We Do With What Has Been Given Is How We Honor Those Who Gave

Those of you who were following my Yahoo 360 blog last year may remember my post on the the Medal Of Honor Flag Presentation Ceremony for Jason Dunham at the National Museum of the Marine Corps . His company commander delivered one of the best speeches I have heard and I just have to resurrect it. The opening sentence itself is so powerful.

"All that we have has been given to us. What we do with what has been given to us is how we honor those who gave."




After the ceremony, I thanked Mrs. Dunham for sharing it with the public at the Museum. I tell people when I give tours and I point out Jason's photo on the Medal of Honor wall, that I told his mom I hoped if I were ever a mom, that I could be as good a mom as she was. I'm sure she probably thought I was some wacko. What I tell my tours, and what I couldn't articulate to Mrs. Dunham at the time, is what I meant by that comment.

If I am ever a parent, I hope that I can raise a child up to be unselfish enough to put his or her life on the line to save others. Now, no parent wants their child to be hurt or killed, I have been told having a child is like watching your heart walk around. However, I think it is such a testament to have raised up a selfless child with a sense of honor and duty. It says a lot about those parents who can let that child go, to go into a profession where they may be endangered or lose their lives because that child knows he or she will make a difference in someone else's life.

Despite the gloom and doom news coverage - - which has now pattered off to no news coverage because things are going better. I take heart in the positive stories. Like the photos and stories posted by a State Department PRC, showing a market place in Al Anbar with shops full of goods and people out shopping. When I see the good that is happening and how local Iraqis are taking steps to a better future, I see how our service men and women are being honored this Memorial Day Weekend.

Celebrating Memorial Day the NMMC Way

Can I just tell you how excited I am about all the cool things going on at the museum this weekend!

Nothing special was planned in 2007, our "Shake Down Cruise", and our first Memorial Day. Memorial Day 2008 is a different story!

Docent Dave says "Visit the Museum You Magots!"

Saturday, the doors to the museum will open an hour early, yep at 0800 (8 a.m.) to welcome 500 plus bikers participating in Rolling Thunder on their way to DC. In addition to that, outside the museum entrance will be a display of custom-designed Marine Corps motorcycles. The bikes and the men who built these mechanical memorials honoring Marines will be on hand Saturday and Sunday.



This weekend also marks the opening of artist Tom Hubbard's traveling exhibit, "SEMPER FIDELIS: How I Met My Father". This exhibit will be located on the second deck of the musuem and is a multi-media show featuring 20 works of orginal art inspired by the artist's personal journey to learn about his father, a U.S. Marine killed in Vietnam. Hubbard traveled to Vietnam in 200 to trace his father's footsteps and documented the journey. His show will be on display at the Museum through July 7th.



In addition to these two special exhibits, take some time to visit the Global War on Terrorism gallery, the museum recently installed cases to include micro artifacts as well as an unmanned aerial vehicle. I've already shared with you, in an earlier post, these new additions to the GWOT gallery. I wonder if they have any new photographs? Throughout the year, the museum has rotated in "fresh" combat camera photos of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I think its going to be an amazing weekend full of photo opportunities and hearing new stories, all of which I'll share with you here.