Yester-day we drove from Ellsworth AFB's Prairie Inn, to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.
We spent several hours looking at the four faces on the mountain, and visiting the gift shop.
It was even more interesting than usual a trip.
In the gift shop was an elderly gentleman sitting at a high table.
He was a driller on the Memorial from 1938 – 1940.
He worked on the faces of Roosevelt and Lincoln.
He has written a book, and we bought one, which he signed for us.
We also had our picture taken with him.
We left the park and drove to Wall Drug in Wall, SD.
You have to see it to believe it.
The first time I was there was January 1953, and I have no idea how many times since.
We drove back to Mt. Rushmore, arriving about 1830.
We wanted to see the Lighting Ceremony, when floodlights illuminate the Four Faces on the mountain.
The ceremony begins at 2000.
Prior to the start of the ceremony a Ranger asked that all veterans, those on Active Duty and spouses and children of those who died in Service to our Country, to join him on the stage at the close of the ceremony.
There was a large number of us who walked many, many steps to the stage.
We formed in to three rows and faced the audience.
Then the Ranger asked the audience to thank us for our service.
After the applause ended, the Ranger asked us to turn right and face our nations Flag.
He chose two men to lower the flag and fold it.
I, and probably others, rendered a Hand Salute, as our National Standard was lowered.
Then the Ranger thanked all those who also served, the spouses and children of those who were in the military, and asked the audience to thank them. The group on stage was probably applauding louder than any.
As we filed off the stage we were all asked to state our name and branch of service in to the microphone the Ranger was holding.
What a wonderful tribute of thanks.
I noticed that quite a few, including OLD OZ, were wiping their eyes.
Must have been an allergy.
If you ever go to Mt. Rushmore, try to be there for the Lighting Ceremony, between Mother's Day and 30 September.
As we were on our way out of the Memorial, a man came up to me and asked me if I had ever been stationed at Ellsworth. I told him I had been TDY there. He said when he heard my name, that he told his wife that he knew me.
He was stationed at Ellsworth when I had been there TDY.
I recognized his name, but it has been 53 years since the last TDY to Ellsworth.
When we got back on Ellsworth, and were driving to the Prairie Inn parking lot, I heard a bugle call on the base loudspeaker system.
I put my window down and listened to a bugle play Taps.
It was 2200.
I don't know when the last time I heard taps played on a base at night.
What a fitting way to close the day; “All is well”.
Jim Too
