Remembering a Fallen Soldier

In early June, Justin Helton, a soldier from Beaver (which is a town next to my hometown) was killed in Afghanistan. I didn't know Justin, but I remember him from playing basketball and baseball against my brother many years ago and Molly knew him too through high school activities. 

SPC Justin Helton

The day that he was returning to Pike County for the last time, I was actually going to be in town, so I was able to watch the procession bring him to Waverly and then again to Beaver for the funeral. 

Returning to America.

I was about 2 hours ahead of the procession as I drove down 23 to get from Columbus to Piketon, but I cried the entire way because of the support so many people and businesses were showing for Justin. Almost every businesses had a sign up in his honor, flags lined the highway and hung from overpasses, people were sitting along the road to pay their respects. It was just so touching. I'm a softy anyway, but add something patriotic and I'm total waterworks.

I watched the first day of the procession at the church with Mam, Papaw, Randy, Molly and John. There were around 400 bikes that rode with the hearse from Columbus to Waverly. 

This is the town square of his hometown.

Saturday night we went to the Chillicothe Paints game for my Dad's birthday, but it also happened to be Veterans Night and they recognized Justin there as well.

precious men standing that were a part of the Vietnam War

On Sunday, Justin's funeral was held at Eastern High School, so there was a procession from Waverly to Beaver and it went through Piketon. Molly, Mom and I went down and watched in front of Richie's. This day was sad because so many people that we knew were riding along with the hearse to go to the funeral.

Molly and I, thankful for Justin and our freedom.

I'm so thankful for Justin and the many, many soldiers that serve our country each day. I was glad that I was able to be in Pike County the weekend that his services were held so I could pay my respects. It was a very patriotic and humbling weekend. I hope I never have to attend something like this ever again.

I rag on my hometown a lot, but I'm also very proud of how they come together to support each other. The number one reason why I'm proud to be from a small town. :)

Justin's funeral services.

You can read all about Justin and his services here. Please remember his family, girlfriend and all his friends in your prayers, along with the same for the four other soldiers killed at the same time.

Vacation 2014

The normal Wickham family vacation happened again this year in Myrtle Beach. Except this year I didn't ride down with the family. I had the Junior Leauge even the night that the rest of my family left and then I had other plans to travel to DC for Independence Day.

 I followed our friends down on Sunday and got to the beach around 2pm. My friend Lauren and driven over to see Molly and I from Columbia, SC, so we got in some sun (Lauren a little too much) and then went out to dinner at this dive burger place. So good.

Nothing really exciting happened during my four days at the beach. Despite wearing lots of SPF, I got a little sunburnt from my lack of sun exposure up until this point. We had our annual dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, tried out Farm House Restaurant for the first time, and a new Mexican restaurant near our old hotel too. We stayed a lot further south this year than normal so we got to see new things around that part of town.

I had to pay to use the restroom on my travels down. I had no choice.

I had a hurricane at Joe's. And this hurricane won!

Selfies with Pop.

Showing off my new hair.

Dinner at FarmHouse.

I ask my family to smile and I get 1/3 to do it.

Payton and Avery were at the beach a few days this year that I was still there. Luckily Payton didn't get a concussion, but we also refrained from riding any type of boat this year.

I left after three days at the beach and drove to Washington DC for the 4th of July. I stayed with Stacie and visited Holly and the girls too. I spent an entire day driving from one vacation to the other and was making good time until I hit Richmond where a Mayflower moving truck was on fire and I moved 11 miles in 2 hours. :( I can't complain because someone lost all of their possessions in that fire and I just lost a few hours in traffic.

Thursday night I went out with Stacie and her roommates to a few bars in Clarendon. We did the same the next night and I was reminded at how I'm not 21 and can stay out past 1am two nights in a row. Thank goodness I was staying with Holly and Eric the next night and the girls went to bed at 9pm, because I did too! ha.

Night #1 out on the town.

Friday day we went to a cookout, walked around Rosslyn and then headed towards the National Mall for fireworks. It was crowded, but not as much as I thought it would be. We got there about two hours before the fireworks started and walked around, finally picking out a good spot about 45 minutes before they started. We had lots of room. Everyone was playing board games and cards and having a great time. It was very family friendly (no drinking!) and just a very pleasant experience. I definitely will visit DC on the 4th again. Maybe someday with my own family.

selifes on the bridge

People camped out on the Lincoln Memorial

panoramic view around the Washington Memorial.

The fireworks started at 9:10, so it wasn't completely dark yet. We had a great view from the foot of the Washington Monument. I thought the actual fireworks display would be better than any I've ever seen. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't over the top amazing like I expected it to be. And it last about 20 minutes. I thought for sure it'd be at least 45.

Rockets red glare

bombs bursting in air

so pretty.

All the people behind us

selfies

Traffic was obviously bad with so many people leaving the mall at the sametime, but we took our time and visited the Lincoln Monument. We walked back to Stacie's so we didn't have to deal with the car traffic.

Me and Stacie after the fireworks

Lincoln Memorial at night.

Me and Abe

The next day we went to brunch and to visit the Eastern Market. We saw lots of cool things to buy, but nothing that I had money for. I didn't even get a Christmas ornament or post cards this trip. :(

Eastern Market in DC

I parked in the garage of the building that housed some of the Watergate investigation!

I left Stacie's in the afternoon and drove to Holly and Eric's. The girls and I played that afternoon and then we went to dinner at an Easton type place they have close to their house. The girls wanted to ride the little train that goes around the mall, so guess who got to ride with them. :)

Our attempt at a train selfie.

Sunday morning was full of coloring pictures after breakfast and hugs before I had to leave around 9:30 for the long drive back to Ohio. Charley was bummed that I was only there for one night. Usually are visits are for longer. Since I was alone on my way home, I stopped at a few stores in Leesburg, Virginia (cutest town ever) and again in Morgantown, WV to see WVU. I was not impressed with their campus. Maybe it's because it's all over the place. Maybe it's because at one time the road I was driving up was more than a 45* incline. Either way, I wasn't a fan. I also couldn't get inside their stadium. boo!

Throwing up the O!

I have started to like traveling by myself because I can stop and see what I want, when I want and I don't have to try to persuade someone to go there or listen to someone complain about being there when they don't want to be there. So for my, traveling alone isn't that bad of a deal. I like it.

The drive home was kind of a long one, but it meant that I had lots of time to catch up with friends and family on the phone. I was excited to see the Columbus skyline as I rounded the Livingston curve on I70 and of course to see my little precious of a cat when I walked in the door.

Home!

Bowie cat!

It was a great vacation and I got to cross something off my of Bucket List, which was visiting Washington DC for the 4th of July. I'd also like to do the 4th in Philadelphia one year and then NYE in Times Square is on the list too. So many fun things ahead in my future!

Kelton House Gala

Back in late June, my junior league committee hosted the 10th Kelton House Gala. We exceeded all of our fundraising goals and had a grand old time at the actual event, despite the rain. The goal of the event was to raise funds for the Kelton House Museum, a historic home in downtown Columbus that the League runs. It's quite interesting, so you should visit for a tour sometime. They also have a lovely garden, perfect for a wedding if you're planning one.

The committee...at the end of the evening. :)

Favorite junior  league friend

Group selfie

 All of the food was donated by businesses around Columbus. Sadie Baby Sweets donated these cake pops and they were awesome! Seriously, so delicious.

One of our sustainer members is from Louisiana and she and her sister were so kind to share lots of festive decorations.

Authentic NOLA decorations.

I loved these little band members.

I think I may need to go to Mardi Gras now.

She also made this gift basket for our silent auction of authentic food from Louisiana. It was so amazing and a big hit with bidders.

She's too cute.

My dear friend Jimmy was at the silent auction in spirit and in writing.

We had such a lovely day for set up, then an hour before the event started in poured rain, so we had to adjust and move a lot of stuff inside. Luckily, everyone was happy and didn't have a problem with being a little more crowded than what you'd like.

Cara won some great gifts in the silent auction. I'm looking forward to her visiting and baking something with her cookbooks from other leagues around the country.

This was my last Junior League event. The past two years have been so busy for me that I've decided I need to step away from something and decided this was the thing that I was least passionate about. Maybe in the future it will be something I want to rejoin, we will see.