To any cyclists who said "Hello, Marianne," as I was shooting photos of your race past our home yesterday: if I did not show the usual enthusiastic hint of familiarity, twas cuz I didn't recognize you wearing all that bike gear.
Actually, your ensembles are fairly minimal, but, especially those helmets and glasses do kinda hide who you are.
Still, thanks for saying, "Hi," and thanks for coming past our place. It was pure delight to stand out there on our stretch of dirt road and watch approximately 135 athletes out doing what they love on a magnificent May day.
For a while, Brian Wood and I watched together, as he came by with his truck and a friend just before the cyclists rounded the corner onto South Center Valley Road.
Hope all went well with this 3/4 Minus race.
Derby Party . . . .
You Won!
Whoa!
You Lost!
You Lost!
Laurie won the pot.
No, Barbara won the pot.
Twas just $21, but there are still bragging rights. As for the winner, then loser, probably some "Ain't It Awful" rights.
We had a great time at our small party, munching and telling stories about Derby winners during our respective birth years.
I was pleased to learn that Laurie's winner from 1961, Carry Back, was also known as "CB."
Then, came the race. Then, came the tallying of who earned how many points for picking their win, place and show.
I was just about to hand Laurie those 21 bucks, when Barbara said, "You'd better slow down, Marianne."
So, I did, as did everything associated with the "best two minutes in sports."
It took a whole lot longer than two minutes for the head steward and her assistants to determine that the winning horse had moved over on the track and interfered with other horses in the lead pack.
We watched a notable piece of Derby history yesterday with that first qualification, based on track action, in 145 years.
I can't even imagine what a night it had to be in two different settings. Unimaginable for the declared winner and sickening disbelief for those who owned, trained and rode the horse that led from start to finish.
And, the betting fiasco----suddenly disastrous for some who were headed to the bank and like winning the lottery for those who threw away and later had to go retrieve their betting stubs.
Unlike no other-----this year's Derby, but, as always, a great hat, eat and betting party at our house.
Can't wait for next year!
My Older Brother and Other Vietnam Vets . . . .
SAVE
THE DATE. 11:00 a.m., May 25. Dedication of Vietnam War Memorial Park
at Seattle Museum of Flight.
This memorial honors all who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War with particular recognition of air warriors of all services.
Centerpiece of the memorial will be a B-52 Bomber. The airplane at the Memorial is one which actually flew in the war, and it has been recently restored.
This Museum of Flight project has been supported by a Veterans' committee consisting of Vietnam Veterans from all services. Some of the committee members gathered recently at the site.
Pictured, left to right: Jim Farmer--flew B-52s over North Vietnam, shot down over Laos and subsequently rescued; Mike Brown--served one tour as artillery forward observer with U.S. Infantry Rifle company...second tour as an AH-1G Cobra Gunship Pilot; Dave Cable--dodged North Vietnamese Missiles while flying U.S. Navy A-6 Intruders from carriers in South China Sea; Joe Crecca--F-4 pilot extraordinaire...shot down over North Vietnam, spent 6+ years as POW in North Vietnam; Dave Waggoner--pure grunt...served in combat with 25th Infantry Division in South Vietnam....continues to serve as volunteer with variety of Veterans' organizations and as a docent at Museum of Flight.
A great group of guys, and I'm honored to be included with them!
Young Jack Parker . . . .
This memorial honors all who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War with particular recognition of air warriors of all services.
Centerpiece of the memorial will be a B-52 Bomber. The airplane at the Memorial is one which actually flew in the war, and it has been recently restored.
This Museum of Flight project has been supported by a Veterans' committee consisting of Vietnam Veterans from all services. Some of the committee members gathered recently at the site.
Pictured, left to right: Jim Farmer--flew B-52s over North Vietnam, shot down over Laos and subsequently rescued; Mike Brown--served one tour as artillery forward observer with U.S. Infantry Rifle company...second tour as an AH-1G Cobra Gunship Pilot; Dave Cable--dodged North Vietnamese Missiles while flying U.S. Navy A-6 Intruders from carriers in South China Sea; Joe Crecca--F-4 pilot extraordinaire...shot down over North Vietnam, spent 6+ years as POW in North Vietnam; Dave Waggoner--pure grunt...served in combat with 25th Infantry Division in South Vietnam....continues to serve as volunteer with variety of Veterans' organizations and as a docent at Museum of Flight.
A great group of guys, and I'm honored to be included with them!
~~~~~~~~~
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| Jack Parker with Spud Strickling Photo by Chris Bronson/Idaho Press |
A truly heart-warming and wonderful story.
Thanks to Bart Casey for posting this story on Facebook about his nephew from Southern Idaho.
Jack Parker's grandparents, Jack and Shirley live in Sandpoint. His father Dave graduated from Sandpoint High School in the early 1980s and went on to play Vandal football at the University of Idaho.
I read this story out loud to Bill yesterday and immediately felt the need to ask Bart if I could post it this morning.
This piece is compelling for many reasons---our local familiarity with the Parker family, the narrative itself, its careful crafting and, of course, the inspiration young Jack Parker spreads wherever he goes.
May it bring a smile to your face, just like Jack's.
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