ON THE ROAD AGAIN

As Wille so aptly said it....
"On the road again,
Just can't wait to get on the road again
like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
insisting that the world keep turning our way
AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON THE ROAD AGAIN"
ROAD TRIP- a journey via automobile

I guess driving the 22,500 miles to the Arctic Ocean last summer wasn't enough. So after overpacking the SUV again we are off and running to celebrate the open road. This year we are headed to the Eastern half of the good ol'USA on up to St. Edwards Island and Newfoundland. More family, friends, Fishers, faith and forests. Will we qualify as Professional Road Trippers? Is this the Baby Boomer version of hitchhiking? Does Dashboarding count as exercise? So glad I can pack the "extras" and not pay "extra" and so love not having to stand in line to take off my shoes to change states. Besides it's an excellent way to shed some skin and live out loud. Check out the schedule and see if you're on the trip tick. Our most valuable souvenir are the hugs and stories we can't wait to share. Look over at the archived blogs on the right side as it stores the "older" blog entries there....don't want you to miss the trip from day one!

CONFIRMED ROADIES

After last summers "once in a life time road trip" we were hooked-if bored one evening see pamelacollins.blogspot.com (North to Alaska) for sordid details. There are plenty of reasons to hit the road and celebrate America's (and Canada too!) cultural heritage and natural wonders. Although we haven't experienced the meandering version-our trip is kinda planned and suits our purpose. Our focus are the FIVE F'S (family, friends, fishers, faith, forests). With the blessing of health and time we are free to visit and experience our F's. We have also learned the way to a healthy life style on a long road trip....goal for this trip is to eat green and healthy- no more Bubba's Jerky and Corn Dogs. Bubba is even bringing his Vita Mixer. Nothing like a Slimey I mean green smoothie to start the day off. Pleep only indulges in the banana smoothies...no green for the Pleepmeister. And yes there has been a new addition to the Collins Road Family- Pleep now has a sister- Pleetisha (aka Sis). After he laid down the rules of the road to Sis and made it clear who is in charge of this rig she smiled sweetly and said "you bet Bro!" So come along for the ride- Happy Trails!


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If you want to make it easy to follow the action, you can subscribe to our RSS feed. Just scroll down through all the posts. When you reach the last post and just above the trip map, you will see: Subscribe to: Posts (Atom). Just click on that and follow the directions in your browser to add the "feed". If you would like to see any of the pictures larger (and maybe we'll look better or maybe not!), just click on the picture.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

DAY 11 IOCC/Baltimore AND DOVER AIR FORCE BASE FISHER HOUSE FOR THE FALLEN


INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
The IOCC is a humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians established in 1992.  In the spirit of Christ's love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need world wide.  We had the opportunity to stop and meet the Executive Director "Dean" Triantafliou, Lou Zagami/Development Officer and Megan Carniewski/Outreach Coordinator.  Delivering aid in Bosnia and Haiti are examples of locations they service.  We were very impressed with the work they have done and what they have on the horizon to accomplish. Thank you for sharing the story and time with us.  See you in Romania next summer!   Bravo and God Bless. We remember all of you at IOCC in our prayers!  For more information about this organization please check out their web site  www.iocc.org

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE/ FUTURE FISHER HOUSE/ FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN SUPPORT


The final journey, where every day is Memorial Day.  Those who work at the Department of Defense's only mortuary in the continental US see first hand the grim reality of war.  Nearly 75% of the more than 350 people assigned to support the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, are traditional reservists.  Operating out of Dover Air Force Base, the Center for Families of the Fallen, we found dedicated professionals experienced in the mental health field who specialize in case management and grief support.  Newly established in Feb 2010, their mission is to provide resources, support and information to help family members adapt to life without their loved ones.  And right now a "special" Fisher House and Meditation Center is under construction.  Dedication and opening are on target for November of this year.  Robin  Raine is Chief, Families of the Fallen Support Branch, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Dover Air Force Base.  She also leads teams of professionals who provide care, service and support to families of war fallen from all branches of service who travel to Dover AFB to witness the dignified arrival of their loved one back to American soil.  The US government instituted a much needed program to pay for expenses so immediate family members can receive their loved ones at Dover.  Robin said about 75% now participate in coming to Dover. This Fisher House "Manager" will indeed have a different mission than her fellow managers and she is just the right person to take on this huge task and responsibility.  Talk about grace, kindness and commitment...she has been a reservist since 1986, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Travis Air Force Base/Calif.  Coupled with Senior Master Sgt. Ty Williams they are quite the Team.  He started his military career at Lackland/AFB/Texas and will be going to Afghanistan in a few months to complete his last year of service.  You take care Ty and we'll see you when you get back- a cold one on our patio with Bubba is in order.  God bless you both for the phenomenal job you do in such a heart wrenching  task.  Thank you for the tour of the beautiful facility.  You all have gone to great lengths to design and appoint such a comforting place for the families.

For more information on this mission  www.mortuary.af.mil/familiesofthefallen/index



Mr. John Mc Grath saw me taking pics of the Fisher House and stopped his car to let us know "I am building that house- the proudest accomplishment of my work life  In 1968 my brother came through this base- killed in Viet Nam.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It has been very emotional for me and the guys to be on this project-we have watched families come through to pick up their loved ones remains.  And yeah, I cry.  As a matter of fact I wrote a poem...."


John we are sorry for your loss.  Memory Eternal!
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Another Long & Winding Road

Another Long & Winding Road
3,300 Miles Is A Short Haul For This Crowd