Keesler AFB
Keesler Air Force Base/81st Medical Group. Prior to Katrina/2005 Keesler was the big dog medical group in the Air Force. Much rebuilding still evident as we drove on base to the Fisher House. The catchment area includes not only Mississippi but Florida and Louisiana- the Gulf Coast area. A Department of Defense medical facility serving both the VA and Air Force Hospital. They are returning to pre Katrina ops including the teaching programs...never thought about what a long term impact a hurricane can have on a military base??
The smell of freshly popped popcorn wafting from the Fisher House immediately put a smile on Keith's face. We were greeted with a firm handshake by the house manager Larry Vetter. After retiring from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer he became the House Manager at Keesler 11 years ago. To say he runs a tight ship really describes him and this house. This Fisher House opened in 1993 and was also effected by Katrina- they closed for 6 months in 2005 while the hospital was closed. Larry takes "no reservations" and has a waiting list most of the time. He allows his patients/families to stay as long as they need to. It was fun to hear that Southern mannerism of him being referred to as "Mr. Larry". God love the south! And yes Mr. Larry is from West Virgina and mighty proud of it...the license tag on his truck gives that belief away! It's fun to meet each house manager, once again the personality coming through in the persona of the House. Mr. Larry is quite the chef and takes great pride in shopping and cooking for his guests. What's your specialty Mr. Larry? "Everything! But I make a mean Shrimp Boil that you'll have to come back for a taste." He enjoys receiving Commissary Gift Cards for his guests- just learned about another way to volunteer/participate in Fisher House DOD.
So Mr. Larry why do you stay on as a Fisher House Manager? Pam, it's a rewarding job. Helping the VETS and their families. I not only get to give but I "get".
Thank you Mr. Larry for all that you do for our VETS and their families. We appreciate you! God Bless.
New Orleans
Another first....we have heard about all these Internet "bargains and deals" never had the time or wherewith all to participate. But hey, we're retired- we can play. So Keith goes on line, to Bookit.com a
nd finds us a "luxury mystery room" in New Orleans for $89. Are you kidding? Mystery as in dump? Why won't they tell you the name of the Hotel? 4 star hotel? what, on a scale of 10? So we take the plunge and "book it"- to our surprise and delight, up pops "you have been booked at the Intercontinental New Orleans". That really was quite the bargain. So no Motel Six last night....but the trip is young. We spent the rest of the day at The National WWII Museum. Remember the D Day Museum they opened down here a few years back then converted it 2 years ago to the WWII Museum? Quite impressive as a first phase of an overdue tribute to the Veterans of that war....every service, every campaign, every hero. Why did they house the D Day museum in New Orleans and not DC? Because Louisiana wanted to showcase the famed Higgins Boats which were manufactured here at 7 different plants. Then one thing led to another and Congress expanded the Museum to include all of WWII. While on one hand I would have liked to have a proper WWII Museum ( to match that glorious WWII Memorial) in DC, maybe it's a good thing to have this Museum in another place. Keith the WWII buff enjoyed the authentic photographs and display on planning on the invasion of Japan...the magnitude of it and comparison of it to the invasion of Europe all made unnecessary due to Japan's surrender after Hiroshima. I cried like a baby thinking about my Dad/Navy/Pacific, my second Dad (Chris)/Army Air Corp/New Guinea to the Philippines, Keith's Dad/Army in Burma, our Uncles and others- "The Greatest Generation" who served their country when called. While it is not the fanciest of museums it is surely one of the most heartfelt. Check it out http://www.nationalww2museum.org/.
nd finds us a "luxury mystery room" in New Orleans for $89. Are you kidding? Mystery as in dump? Why won't they tell you the name of the Hotel? 4 star hotel? what, on a scale of 10? So we take the plunge and "book it"- to our surprise and delight, up pops "you have been booked at the Intercontinental New Orleans". That really was quite the bargain. So no Motel Six last night....but the trip is young. We spent the rest of the day at The National WWII Museum. Remember the D Day Museum they opened down here a few years back then converted it 2 years ago to the WWII Museum? Quite impressive as a first phase of an overdue tribute to the Veterans of that war....every service, every campaign, every hero. Why did they house the D Day museum in New Orleans and not DC? Because Louisiana wanted to showcase the famed Higgins Boats which were manufactured here at 7 different plants. Then one thing led to another and Congress expanded the Museum to include all of WWII. While on one hand I would have liked to have a proper WWII Museum ( to match that glorious WWII Memorial) in DC, maybe it's a good thing to have this Museum in another place. Keith the WWII buff enjoyed the authentic photographs and display on planning on the invasion of Japan...the magnitude of it and comparison of it to the invasion of Europe all made unnecessary due to Japan's surrender after Hiroshima. I cried like a baby thinking about my Dad/Navy/Pacific, my second Dad (Chris)/Army Air Corp/New Guinea to the Philippines, Keith's Dad/Army in Burma, our Uncles and others- "The Greatest Generation" who served their country when called. While it is not the fanciest of museums it is surely one of the most heartfelt. Check it out http://www.nationalww2museum.org/.FIGHTING FOR DEMOCRACY: WHO IS THE "WE" IN "WE THE PEOPLE"?
