Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station

We continued our travels along US Highway 98 until we reached Pensacola, Florida. From there, we traveled to Pensacola Naval Air Station. I had been there recently for a drill weekend so I knew the National Cemetery was there. As is always the case, I find it impossible to pass without taking a few minutes to pay my respects to the fallen and my fellow veterans.

A very breezy day lends itself to all the flags flying in full display.

Row upon row of white stones. These are on the newer side of the cemetery.

Nomin escorting Christopher through the gardens. Still too young to understand, but when he is older, I hope he will understand why we always stop.

And as always is the case when I go through the gardens I pause to reflect briefly upon the lives of those who have served and those who have fallen in the service of our nation. The vast majority buried here served from one enlistment to retirement and lived out their lives. However, a small number made the ultimate sacrifice. The very least I can do is pay my respects and honor their memory with a picture and a few words. For it is our nations promise to them, that we will never forget them or their sacrifice. For they gave up their tomorrows so we can enjoy our todays.

PFC Matthew Christopher Colin, November 16, 2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

SSG Christopher L. Brown, April 3, 2012, Kunar, Afghanistan, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

LCPL Marcus Mahdee, May 9, 2005, Karmah (near Fallujah), Iraq, 3rd BN, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force

TSGT Walter A McClellan, April 17, 1945, Germany, United States Army Air Corps

TSGT McClellan remains were recovered in September 2008, a recovery team of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, exhumed his remains in Burkhardswalde, Germany. He was a crew member of the "Towering Titan" a B-17 Flying Fortress that was down by enemy fighters during a bombing mission over Dresden, Germany. An excellent example of our nations promise that we will not stop looking until they are all accounted for....

The cemetery was divided in two sections and this is the view as you enter the older half.

A picture across the gardens. The closet stones date to the Civil War and far stones to the 1980s. Long before the it was a national cemetery, it was a military cemetery. The remains of thousands of American Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen rest here in honored company.

More Planes and a new friend

Besides parks, it would seem Daddy knows where all the planes are too. Which again is good for me, because I like planes too. These are a Hulbert Field (Hulbert Air Force Base) which is about 15 miles from us on the other side of Eglin Air Force Base.

This is another AC-130. It looks like a cargo plane, but carries two cannons and 4 mini-guns. It is totally cool, but they still have not let me fly in it.

Daddy is always reading the signs. He can catch up.

This is me and Darius, he is my new friend. He was with his Mommy and Daddy. He was working on the wheel of this A-1 Avenger so I went over to help.

Seems it is just stuck, so we are trying to unstuck it. That is wheel fixer lingo for those of you who are not familiar with it.

That is his Mommy, she found a bug.

We are headed off to the next plane.

That is the memorial for all the fallen airmen.

It was cool and I got to make a new friend. He is three and a good wheel fixer. We were going to bill the Air Force, but Daddy said the Government is broke so we will just write it off on our taxes as a charity work.

And back to the car we go. Seems we are following the coast just to see what is there besides sand and water.

Another park and another swing

If you have been following the blog, which I hope you have been, you know we are in Florida. You can tell by the way we dress. I have to admit, it is nice running around in March in short sleeves.

Anyway, it would seem Florida has a lot of parks and Daddy is determined that we will go to everyone. Which I do not have a problem with. Just wish they were closer together.

Here is Auntie playing a trick on me. She said it was a telescope! Turns out it is a cannon. She has been watching too much "Sponge Bob Square Pants." I will have to limit her TV.

Now I am off to the swings! Hurry up Daddy you have to push me.

Yes, nothing like the wind blowing through your hair at 80 mph.

I am so high up you can see the bottoms of my shoes.

Moved up to the big kid swings. Have to stay closer to the ground for safety reasons.

Still learning how to kick my legs.

The slide is always fun.

Another slide, this is the big kid one.

And that is all for this park, back to the car. Where is the next park?

The United States Air Force Armament Museum

After the park I figured we should go see the air planes. I see them all day circling and passing over our house, but I like getting close.

In fact, a AC-130 was circling our location while at the museum and Daddy said they were looking for me!  I waved, but they did not seem to be looking for me.

I am going old school here. This is a P-25 Mitchell.

This is the gun side of a AC-130, the side you do not want to be on when they are working.

Daddy, where is the door?

Daddy's favorite, the A-10 Warthog.

This is Mommy's plane. She works with F-16s, so it is my favorite.

The F-111 is a little older, do not see them flying around.

Doing my crew chief checks!

I found an unsecure fuel pod, so had to call in the ground cres and get some things fixed. Had to cut the tour short. Still it was cool and you should check it out.

We are enjoying Florida, try to come and visit!  Since most of you did not visit me in Utah.

Niceville Community Center Children's Park

Since we are new to the Niceville Area, we have been exploring and learning where the cool kids hang out. So today Daddy and I, cruised over to the Niceville Community Center Children's Park. It is an exclusive place where the VIPs hang out. It was not crowded, which tells you it is very exclusive! It has to be for me to be a member!

Here I am breaking in the new Dinosaur ride!

They have a beginner's driver training.

A paramedic driver's course.

And of course the adventure course, formerly known as the obstacle course, but the name was changed as to not make it too challenging.

The slide is one I have recently mastered.

The escape tunnel is colored like a roll of life savers.

It is a bit of a stretch, but I no longer require assistance at the fountain.

The twisty slide requires a little more skill.

Not sure what this requires other than a good grip!

It was a good visit and lots of exercise. I like coming here on my off days from running. It is fun and still good cardio. If you are in town check it out, just tell them you know me.

Around my place!

Just a few pictures so you can see I am doing good.  Still not a lot going on.  Mommy is in Hawaii and we are in Florida.

Me enjoying my house. Seems a storm blew through and made a mess. Hurricane Christopher!

Me and Auntie, I need to comb my hair and did not want to take the picture.

The back gate into the woods.

Daddy did not take any before pictures, but needless to say, you could not see all the way down. it was a mess. He planted all the green things on the left side too. Found them in the woods.

My trucks finally got here from Utah. Have been putting them to work!

We cleared this whole area.

My swing set, I was done with the Camera.  I only do photo shoots by appointment now.

Florida is a nice place. Been a lot of work for Daddy and me.  He does the work and I supervise. Hope all is well where ever you are!

Just catching up.... hanging out in Florida

Not a lot going on. Mommy is in Hawaii, we are in Florida and the tides just keep coming and going.

Out on a walk to the Bayou!  For those of you not from the area, that is a body of water or something.

Trying my hand at fishing.  Got to be something I am missing.

I like the splash when I throw rocks in the water.

Under the bridge... walking in the sand!

I wonder if I need bait?

Some rocks just are not meant to be moved!

I am enjoying Florida.  It has not snowed since we have been here, so that is good. It is nice being outside with just a wind breaker. Have to say I might just end up liking this place.