Loss...

Today I grieve the loss of a wonderful woman, she was my friend, a true example of how to live life, my mother-in-law and my children's "grandma Max"...I celebrate her new life in Heaven, reunited with her husband Virgil, parents, sisters and many other family members; all celebrating her coming home to them!
I am thankful for last Sunday, Lindsey & I spent time with Maxine and I was able to share so many things with Maxine...She knew that I loved her like a mother and I knew that she loved me like a daughter.  God is Good!  Love to my family from across the Atlantic xoxoxoxoxo

We're Here!

After a two hour delay in Denver, we have successfully made it to London!  We do not have anything scheduled for tonight, tomorrow morning however, we move to Cambridge and we will headquarter out of our hotel there for 4 days. 

Dad is doing great!  Visiting away with everyone (that doesn't surprise any of you, does it?!), we've already met a lot of great people and looking forward to meeting many more tomorrow! 

No pictures yet, and I'm finding that internet access here is limited.  I hope I will be able to put a few pictures up, but bare with me, my sending capabilities are much more limited than I realized!

Flexible...we are delayed in Denver for 2 hours!!!

James Bechtel - the reason for this adventure!

As we approach Memorial Day, please take time to honor those who have given their lives, served our country protecting its freedoms OR are currently serving...without them our lives would be very different!  THANK YOU MEN AND WOMEN PROTECTING OUR US! 

Just a few days...

Not much longer and we'll find ourselves in the air and on our way to London!  We're excited to get this experience under way and pray for safety both at home and on our trip!  Mother Nature is dealing all kinds of fits ... including the volcano in Finland that is causing delays in the UK!  Please don't delay or cancel our trip when we're this close!! 

Certainly hoping that my "techie sense" can provide you with a day to day accounting of our trip...the closer we get, the less I have faith in myself to keep this blog updated! 

On task,

Kerri

Dad preparing for his Honor Flight trip to Washington DC - What a wonderful trip this was for Dad and his older brother Jack...in memory of their brother Jim who died in WWII. 

Details of the Trip...

Tour Itinerary

Thursday, May 26 – Depart US

Our journey starts with an overnight flight to London from various points in the US.

Friday, May 27 – London

Arrive at Heathrow airport midday and make your way to the hotel shuttles. We will be staying at the Premier Inn Heathrow Airport. We have the evening to relax before the adventure begins.

Saturday, May 28 – Cambridge

A private coach picks up our group after breakfast and we transfer to the Crown Plaza in Cambridge. An afternoon visit to the Eagle Pub is in order as it is within walking distance of our hotel! Enjoy the first of four evenings spent in this delightful city. 

Sunday, May 29 – Bassingbourn

We travel the short distance to Bassingbourn Barracks. We participate in a re-dedication service of the 91st Bomb Group Prop Memorial. Lunch is served in the Officer’s Mess. The Tower Museum Bassingbourn hosts us for the afternoon and will provide a tour of the airfield and runways.

Monday, May 30 – Madingley and Royston

We begin the day remembering those who gave their lives in service as we visit the Cambridge American Cemetery at Madingley for their Memorial Day ceremony. We journey to Royston afterward and are treated to lunch in the Town Hall, attend a service at the Priory Memorial Gardens and tour the Royston sites. An evening reception for our group at the Royal British Legion.

Tuesday, May 31 – Duxford and Wimpole Hall

We stop at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. WWII home of the 78th Fighter Group, Duxford is now known as one of the best museums in the world. Wimpole Hall, whose tree lined entrance served as the 323rd Squadron’s bomb dispersal area, has invited our group for the afternoon.

Wednesday, June 1 – Mildenhall and London

We leave Cambridge behind and visit the USAF Base Mildenhall. We transfer to our London hotel where we spend the next two nights. A boat reserved exclusively for our tour is waiting on the Thames for an evening river cruise and dinner.

Thursday, June 2 – Cabinet War Rooms and Imperial War Museum Labeth Road.

Morning tour of Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms and an afternoon at the Imperial War Museum Labeth Road. We finish the day with a 3 course meal at Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes.

Friday, June 3 – Portsmouth

A vital embarkation point for D-Day, Portsmouth is our last stop in the UK before we sail to France. We’ll see the Portsmouth Docks, D-Day Museum and Gun Wharf. We board a ferry and check into our cabins for an overnight crossing to Le Havre.

Saturday, June 4 – Paluel and Caen - This is the day Dad's brother & crew will be remembered!

After unloading from the ferry, we board our coach in Le Havre, France and drive through the countryside to Paluel. We attend a memorial dedication to the John Coen crew of the 324th Squadron who were lost March 28, 1943 on a mission to Rouen, France. Afterward, we transfer to our hotel in Caen.

Sunday, June 5 – Normandy

We travel the Normandy area visiting Utah Beach and Museum, Sainte Mere Eglise Museum, La Fiere Bridge, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach Cemetery and landing beaches.

Monday, June 6 – Bayeux and Arromaches

Our day starts with the D-Day Remembrance parade, followed by the British Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the Bayeux Tapestry. Later we visit the Arromanches D-Day Museum, the Mulberry Harbour and the Longues Gun Battery before returning to the hotel.

Tuesday, June 7 – Normandy

Today’s stops are the Ranville Airborne Cemetery, Merville Gun Battery Museum, Pegasus Bridge and Museum and the La Grand Bunker Museum. We board the afternoon ferry in Ouistreham for return trip to the UK and transfer to our London hotel.

Wednesday, June 8 – Return

We say goodbye over breakfast on our last morning in the UK. Board a shuttle bus from the Premier Inn Heathrow Airport for return flight to US!