Memorial Day Weekend 2014

A wonderful weekend.

This was one of those weekends where each day we had an event planned or a place we planned to be.

Saturday, I was invited to go to the Los Angeles Live Steamers event out near L.A. zoo.
So after a trip to the plant (unplanned)  I headed out to meet the people I know at the steamers event.

To say that this is a bunch of guys playing with trains is taking a lot away from some of them.
The design and engineering that goes into the locomotives is just as exacting as that used on full size versions.

Of course the real fun is in putting them to work.

 

 

Although I'm not sure that you would call this work!

On Sunday we went to the California Science center near USC to visit the Endeavor and the Pompeii exhibits.
Considering that we have lived in SoCal for over thirty years, I am almost embarrassed to say that this was our first trip to the science center.

There are some stunning things to see!

From the SR 71 as you walk in and the fighters hanging in the entrance atrium.



Moving on, we went into the Pompeii exhibit.

These artifacts alone are worth the visit, the Pompeii is a temporary exhibition so if you want to see it you need to check out the dates. As with most things like this, buy and print the tickets on line to save time waiting in line when you get there.

 

 

Of course some of the pieces are more colorful than others!!!

For me the star of the show was Endeavor.

As usual, I'm interested in the nuts and bolts and Anne is interested in how the people lived.

 

She is particularly interested to know if the female astronauts could wear spike heels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday, Memorial Day, my first job was to take the flag to half staff just before dawn.

 

 





This picture of course was taken later, it's a bit tough taking pictures before dawn.

Then we headed off to the USS Iowa .
We were invited to attend a ceremony at the ship to honor veterans on Memorial Day.

The news crews somehow heard that we would be there and turned out in force.

 

There were some very important guests on hand for this event:

 

This gentleman,  Bill Thompson was a World War II veteran with battleship service. He not only spoke very well but had a great sense of humor. He led the assembled group in The Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Rosie The Riveter was on hand to help out.

 

 

Boy there is some "Scrambled Egg" on that hat!

It is a great pleasure and honor to meet these guys who have served the country so well.

A good compliment of crew lined up along the rails.

 

The Seal Beach Sea Cadets formed the Honor Guard.

 

 

The usual raft of politicians were in attendance, Janice Hahn congresswoman for the 44th district; and Eric Garcetti , Mayor of Los Angeles along with various council members etc.

When you have friends you can get some seriously preferential treatment.

 

One final event of the day.

 

 

Take the flag back to full staff at noon.

This is unusual as the flag is at half staff during all daylight hours for most occasions.
Today it is at half staff to remember and honor those veterans who died, but it is then raised to full staff to honor those veterans who are still with us,
 and currently serving members of the military.

All in all a great weekend.
Ciao Bella,

Norm