Wreaths Across America (2008)

Saturday, 13 December 2008

Last year the ceremony was held at the Yuma Armed Forced Park on Saturday 15 December. This year it was held at the Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery. And this year the ceremony was provided by the Yuma Civil Air Patrol Squadron 508, where Mike belongs.



As usual the weaths were provided by the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine.


6 of the 7 wreaths were placed by personnel from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, Merchant Marine.


Honoring members of the U.S. Army


Honoring members of the U.S. Navy


Honoring the members of the U.S. Marine Corps


Honoring the members of the U.S. Air Force


Honoring the members of the U.S. Coast Guard


Honoring the members of the Merchant Marine


And honoring the members of the POW/MIA.


The 21-gun salute by the firing team from American Legion Post #19


Mike with his beloved bagpipes!


An extra set of 7 wreaths was received and so these children got the honor of searching and laying them on 7 veterans' gravesides.

Independence Day

Friday, 4 July 2008

I missed the fireworks again this year! Last year, Mike & I were in Tucson, for Mike's cataract operation. Today, we were in Needles, for Billy's memorial service on Sunday. Both times, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Today marked the 232nd anniversary (4 July 1776) of USA independence from Britain. We had our celebration at home - barbecued hot dogs, meat patties, etc.

"Freedom is not free"

Moving On

Saturday, 28 June 2008

I wish we didn't have to move. I was beginning to enjoy the neighbors and the surroundings.

Nice park


Beautiful flowers

Wide clean road

What I am going to miss most are my 2 visiting teachers - Sister Lourdes and Sister Suphattra. Interestingly we are from 3 different countries - Uruguay, Thailand and Malaysia. And after this month, the 3 of us will not be together again.......

The final move of furnitures. Thanks to Brother Fred and Brother Roberto who came to help with the move.

My kitchen for the past year

Thanks to Brother Ezequiel who came to mow the grass and lastly Mike flushing the outside of the house. Hopefully the Landlord is happy with the the house and pay us back the deposit!

Memorial Day - Sunset Vista Funeral Home and Cemetery

Monday, 26 May 2008 - Memorial Day

Mike was asked to play the bagpipes this morning at the Memorial Day Celebration at Sunset Vista Funeral Home and Cemetery.

Mike with some of the veterans who did the 21 Gun Salute.


La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (The Society of Forty Men & Eight Horses) - traces back to the box cars used in France in World War I.

A lot of bikers came to the memorial ceremony.

21 Gun Salute

Below the tree, Mike played "Amazing Grace" to close the ceremony.

Saturday, 24 May 2008 - Sunset Visa Funeral Home and Cemetery

This is an interesting finding - A veteran with the same 1st name, same 2nd initial and the same last name as the present US president, George W. Bush, was buried in this cemetery.

I thought this is cute - an angel at this graveside. This angel is wearing out. There is a hole around her knee.

Last but not least, a tank from World War II, standing guard in the Veterans burial ground

Long Time No See

Sunday, 25 May 2008

So happy that Stanley, Mary, Joanne & Cassey (their Shih Tzu) were able to stop over in Yuma and stayed with us for the night. It was good to visit with each other and talk the Malaysia way, for a change. It has been 6 years since Stanley & I last met. Last we lived like half an hour apart by road, in the same city. But now it is 19 hrs apart by road - 1300 miles, in different cities, in different states.

I love Mike's Mexican cooking. I think I prefer his cooking than the food at the Mexican restaurants. For Stanley, Mary & Joanne, it was their first time having Menudo, which we bought home from a Mexican restaurant, to add to the Chili Pepper Omelette and the Chili Stew/Tortillo that Michael had prepared.

Wheat and Rock Melon

Sunday, 25 May 2008

I am impressed with the agriculture here. I thought the yellow field were hay but it wasn't This is the first time I have seen wheat plant.

On the other side of the field is another crop - Cantaloupe. Never heard that term in Malaysia. I knew it as rock melon.

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Friday, 16 May 2008

Last place of interest to visit before we drove back home - Petrified Forest National Park - located near Holbrook in Northern Arizona.

Painted Desert is beautiful!

The Newspaper Rock

The colorful Teepes

Petrified Forest

Agate Bridge: The petrified tree trunk

Agate Bridge: The petrified tree root

The skeletons of the animals that once dwelt in the Triassic Park.

An imagery model of what the Triassic Park had looked like?