John and I have been unemployed/retired for a year now. I was laid off on June 10, 2010. I continue to look for a job, but either I'm not qualified, or I'm too qualified (read: too old). I've done a little work on Elance, but basically I've just "rested." I can still draw unemployment for a while, but decided it was time to start the social security. Got my first check today. No one could live on what I get. With my unemployment, I can pay my bills, but not on the social security. Sure wouldn't make me socially secure.
I'm doing a lot of volunteer work, ie: escorting my mom to Wash. DC. I've got some more pictures to share. Another indication that something really special was happening that day, was our entrance to the Baltimore/Wash Airport. We had what is called a Water Gun Salute. A fire truck sat on either side of the path our plane was taking and sprayed water over us as we went by. Of course a photo inside would have only shown the plane's window with water running down it. But I found a pic online of it happening to another flight. Very dramatic and beautiful.
Our first destination was the World War II Memorial. Our bus let us out nearby and we did our group photograph. Mom and I rolled around to the entrance to get the full effect. There are two large monuments with World War II on them and you walk between them, down a slope to the middle. On either side of that stroll, there are bas-relief panels set into the walls. They are beautiful. And I didn't photograph them but you can see them listed as Bas-Relief Panels (duh) at http://www.wwiimemorial.com/default.asp?page=facts.asp&subpage=factsheets.
There is a beautiful oval pool in the middle surrounded by columns with the name of each state on them. One either side there is a large column that rises above it all. On the left you'll see Pacific and on the right Atlantic for the two theatres. Also, on the walls around the outside there are quotes carved into the stone. Another visitor volunteered to photograph Mom and I in front of the one about women soldiers:
"WOMEN WHO STEPPED UP WERE MEASURED AS CITIZENS OF THE NATION, NOT AS WOMEN…THIS WAS A PEOPLE’S WAR, AND EVERYONE WAS IN IT." Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby.
You can look her up. Powerful woman.
Mom hates everyone seeing her in a wheelchair. And we only used one because there was so much to see and so much walking to see it all. So please ignore the wheelchair. She does not own one herself.
Mom hates everyone seeing her in a wheelchair. And we only used one because there was so much to see and so much walking to see it all. So please ignore the wheelchair. She does not own one herself.
"Two Old Veterans"
