An Unexpected Surprise

We didn’t check for our delivery at the front desk for a couple of days. We ordered a filter for the refrigerator so we weren’t in any hurry and that’s what I assumed it was. So today when we picked up our mail the filter was in the mailbox, so we we perplexed as to whatever the other package was. It was from Wine Country gift baskets. We had no idea who it might have been sent from, and then I thought of one thing - before I saw the name on the gift card. We had gone to the army museum at Fort Belvoir a few weeks back at the request of someone that we know from the Midwest whose father was in the Korean War. He made a donation for a brick at the army museum and she wondered if we could see if it was installed there and take a photo. We were happy to go because it made for a fun excursion and is only thirty minutes away from where we live. It’s a brand new museum and would also be a great place to take photos for the weekly photo challenge. Plus, our son was in the army for twenty years. Unfortunately the brick was not yet installed, but I sent photos of the place to our friend - and that we would be happy to go back when the brick is put in place. I didn’t think any more about it. Then this lovely package arrived thanking us for making the trip. It was totally unexpected, but also very thoughtful. It certainly wasn’t necessary, but was such a nice gesture. Thanks Debbie! 

Fort Belvoir Army Museum - Medical Aspects

Last week we took a ride to the newly opened army museum at Fort Belvoir. We were asked to take a photo of a friend’s father’s memorial brick. It was also a good place to take photos for the 52Frames transportation challenge, and our son served in the army for 20 plus years as a cardiac surgeon. I also like nursing and medical history so this would be a place for that - in addition to the army medical museum that used to be at Walter Reed. The building itself is almost translucent -it disappears in to the surroundings. There weren’t a lot of medical objects, but it was represented in each of the sections that highlighted the different phases and conflicts of our time. There were surgical kits and tiny dioramas with hospital facilities, helicopters, and field gear. When we were in the last section it felt like yesterday when we saw the same uniform, boots and name plates our son had with three deployments. There was also a separate section that had military art created by artists of the time periods. I liked the watercolor painting of the medical convoy best. All in all it was an interesting visit. It was the first museum excursion we have taken in many months. The difference now is timed passes are required, social distancing and masks continue.  

52Frames_transportation Photo Challenge

One of my friends asked if we could take a photo of her father’s memorial brick at the new Army Museum that just opened out at Fort Belvoir. It was a great excuse to make the visit - which is the first museum excursion we have planned in a very long time. We had to get timed tickets beforehand and we were ready to go last week. Since the 52Frames photo challenge subject was transportation, it would be a great place to find something appropriate there. Aside from that, I like medical and nursing history, and our son is a retired army colonel who was deployed three times as a cardiovascular surgeon - so we have a personal connection. We were surrounded by mules, humvees, jeeps, Normandy landing craft, Sherman and Bradley tanks. But what caught our attention were the tiny dioramas that showed revolutionary war horses transporting cannon on sleds, medical field hospitals and helicopters. When it got down to selecting my favorite photo to submit, I really liked the Sherman tank. This image got more impressions than any others that I have posted on Instagram. But my husband preferred the winter scene and the horses pulling the cannon. In the end, the horses were selected. There never seems to be a clear choice for the best image every week. My husband and I have very different opinions about photography. As for the brick? We asked at the desk and checked the registry again. My friend’s dad’s brick hasn’t been placed yet along the sidewalk. But we would be happy to revisit whenever it is.