Trip Down Memory Lane

Back in August..I know..I know..this post is late..I took a trip to my first ship, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).  I was stationed onboard this ship in Norfolk, VA, and she just home port shifted to Mayport, FL.

So many memories of that girl.  I spent my first two years as an Officer onboard that ship, and grew as a professional, a woman, and as a friend.

Here are some incredible pictures from my visit!

I created this wall with another Officer back in 2005.  So amazing!

Suribachi Room.  Turns out my friend's grandpa donated the poster on the right!

Seriously.  One of the most proud accomplishments in my career was making this wall. 

I spent many early mornings practicing fire drills in Repair Five Main.

This is Bigger than Miley Cyrus and the VMAs..

So with all the hubbub in the media about Miley Cyrus and the VMAs, a lot of people missed this news story yesterday.  I just hope you can appreciate this story, and the sacrifice this man made for our country.

One thing I loved doing while living in Chicago was attend the Medal of Honor talks at the Pritzker Library.  If you are in the Windy City, I highly suggest you attend a talk here.  I have gone to a few, and each one was amazing in its own way!  If you can't make it to a talk, they show their talks on PBS!

Memorial Day

What is Memorial Day?  I think many folks think of it as that awesome 3 day weekend as the start of summer.  I mean, that is what I thought when I was a kid.  Until my dad would take me to the cemetery to put American Flags on my uncle's grave.  He was a Navy Captain, and we would always go to pay our respects.  He was a Navy Chaplain, and baptized me many years ago. 

People have been celebrating Memorial Day ever since the end of the Civil War.  It hit me yesterday when I drove along the parade route on State Street in downtown Chicago.  The Parade was getting set up a few hours beforehand, and I saw that the city was going to recognize the Gold Star families.  According to this news story, there were 23 service men and women from Illinois who were killed in action this past year. 

I always think of my fellow Sailors on Memorial Day.  People I know, and people I never even met.  One of my biggest inspirations in life is LT Michael Murphy.  He served as a Navy SEAL, and lost his life trying to save his team.  Only one man survived, Marcus Luttrell.  He wrote a book about his ordeal and about how LT Murphy tried to save his life, and the lives of the other men on his team.  The Navy just recently christened a ship in his name. 

via

I know I have written other posts about LT Murphy, and Marcus Luttrell.  Talking about people who put Honor, Courage, and Commitment first and foremost in their lives. 

Who are you thinking about this Memorial Day?

Day 4: Has A Book Changed Your Life?

After reading this blog, I knew I had to venture to an older post. 

Has a book changed your life?  Yes.  I read Lone Survivor last summer, and couldn't put it down. You can read the post I wrote about it here.  It made me realize that I need to work hard, train hard, and be more grateful for what I have. 

I follow the book's author, Marcus Luttrell, religiously on Facebook.  He recently had another surgery for his injuries sustained in 2005 and is recovering at home. 

This book has changed my life, and I am looking forward to reading Seal of Honor, about Marcus' fellow SEAL, LT Michael Murphy, who died in the battle that Marcus survived.  LT Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, and a United States Navy Destroyer was just named after him.  Incredible.

Blackhawks and SSG Giunta

I went to the Blackhawks game with Ellen and her family on Wednesday.  I was an honorary member of their family once again.  Thank you!

Best part of the game, was the honoring of Medal of Honor recipient SSG Salvatore Giunta at the game.  If you have ever been to a home Hawks game at the United Center, you know that the National Anthem is the highlight of the game.  Jim Cornelison sings at ever game, and it gives me goosebumps every time.  Simply amazing. 

Love the warm ups..

SSG Giunta at center..should have seen the standing ovation!

Ellen and Me

Token self portrait :)

Left, Right, Center

Madhouse on Madison.  Love the UC!