2025 July 17~ The Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day

 2025 July 17~The Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day – July 17th

July 17th stands as a solemn yet proud day in the heart of Bedford, Virginia—a day etched with reverence, resilience, and remembrance. Known as The Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day, it commemorates the unity and courage of a town forever changed by the sacrifice of its sons. “On the sad and tragic day of Monday, July 17, 1944, inside of Green’s Drug store, Elizabeth Teass began receiving the Western Union telegrams reporting the fates of the     Bedford Boys. At the end of the day, Bedford fell on her knees and cried.”                          

On June 6, 1944, Bedford suffered the highest per capita loss of any American community during the D-Day invasion. These young men, known as The Bedford Boys, were more than soldiers—they were brothers, neighbors, and friends. Their absence left a silence that echoed through every street and home. Time stood still from June 6th until July 17th for the families in Bedford, who had family members in the 116th Infantry Regiment. They knew nothing, until the Western Union telegrams became a dreadful reality.

But in the wake of unimaginable grief, Bedford did not crumble. It came together. Families leaned on one another, churches opened their doors, and the town found strength in shared sorrow. July 17th honors that spirit—the way Bedford turned mourning into memory, and loss into legacy.

Today, flags wave not just in tribute to the fallen, but in celebration of the enduring pride and spirit that defines Bedford. It is a day to remember not only what was lost, but what was built in its place: a community bound by love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable will to carry on.

It was an honor to be invited by my friend Charlotte Powers to attend the 6th Annual ‘Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day’ Ceremony at the Bedford Boys Tribute Center. (Her Uncle Jack Powers was killed June 6, 1944.) A detour through the Bedford Cemeteries before the ceremony began, was an added savored experience.

Several of the Bedford Boys are buried here.

Kenneth A. Parker, executive Director of the Tribute Center led the 30 minute program. He and his wife, Linda are founders and curators of the center.

(Why does she remind me of Rosie the Riveter?)

John Simar, Board Member, read the Proclamation.

 

Rev. Philip Parker of the Bedford Presbyterian Church led the group in prayer. This church(opposite Green's Drugstore) "was used as a refuge to receive the rural farming families while they awaited word. The women of the church cooked meals; the men went out to work the farms while the families painfully waited. Many families "lived" in the church for a week and a half.") 

The Tribute Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive museum exclusively dedicated to furthering the legacies of all 38 ‘Bedford Boys’. I wish I had taken more photos, but will go back for a second visit soon. Here are a few: the last 3 are not my photos. 

The second portion of the program was held in the new section next door, followed by a time of fellowship with relatives of the Bedford Boys. 

WE MUST NEVER FORGET HISTORY! It's more than a slogan---its a call to remember: 

• the sacrifices and struggle that built our freedoms
• the mistakes that should never be repeated
• the triumphs that show what humanity is capable of, and
• the voices--loud and silent--that make up the story of who we are. 

2025 June 30 ~DUCKS IN A ROW

 

🦆🪿🦆🪿🦆🪿Ducks in a Row🦆🪿🦆🪿🦆🪿

No, I'm not herding real ducks, though that might have been easier than the class that I just completed! DUCKS IN A ROW was all about getting your affairs in order before you're outta here. Think of it as a timeline + checklist + a gentle nudge to stop procrastinating and start planning. 

The class (taken through the Roanoke County Parks and Rec Brambleton Center) consisted of 3 2-hour sessions, once a week for 3 weeks. 

***The fall DUCKS CLASSES are scheduled for Mondays, Sept 8, 15, and 22, 5:30-7:30PM or Tuesday, Sept 9, 16, and 23, 10AM-12PM. Registration opens August 10 through Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism (Brambleton Recreation Center)***

As noted above, the class was $75......money well spent. (SHHHHHHHHH.....don't tell anyone, but as the class concluded, a whole lot more money was involved,😂😂😂but in a good way as you will soon discover!).

Planning for the end of life isn't exactly cocktail party chatter--but it is one of the kindest things you can do for the people you love. DUCKS IN A ROW is a class designed to help you create a timeline and plan for organizing your personal, legal, and financial affairs---before things get messy(or mysterious).

The class followed the guidelines from the workbook, book, and the highly valued instruction of Joyce Waugh(Boy, did she ever have her ducks in a row!!!!!).

Because the class size was fairly small, we were given an opportunity to speak freely, as well as become acquainted and support each other. Little did we know that the amount of homework done each week, would be a direct correlation to the number of ducks that we would end up having in a row at the conclusion of the class! 😊

WEEK 1:

Some of us in the class were way ahead of others in the class, in having the necessary documents, deeds, certificates, wills, advance directives, etc, and some of us were way behind in having our ducks in a row😊.............. But this class wasn't a race. It was a golden opportunity to organize a part of our lives that would be helpful to us or someone else. 

Our homework for the first week, consisted of creating a notebook and gathering a mammoth amount of information(to have in one designated place) to have at our fingertips whenever necessary. (I enjoyed putting a little humor into naming my notebook😂😂😂)

My new notebook was filled with copies of birth certificates, wills, deeds to property, car titles, passwords, social security numbers, healthcare directives, marriage license, copies of insurance cards, medical records, copies of utility bills, etc. (seriously, I have 3 pages of passwords🙄)...... every aspect of my personal, legal, and financial life. 

We walked through the "to-do stuff", the "I'll get to it someday's", and the "Wait, I need that?".  Favorite casserole recipes? Sure! Basically all of the stuff your loved ones wish you'd organize before you go floating off into the great beyond😂. I could almost begin to feel a sense of relief, some newfound friends, and maybe even a laugh or two, as I added information to my notebook. The clarity and anxiety began to dwindle. I was taking control of how my story is wrapped up....with intention and grace. After all, it's not about expecting the worst....... it's about preparing well, so I can live the rest of my days with greater peace of mind. 

Week 2: 

Getting your affairs in order shouldn't feel like a funeral--it should feel like a favor (to yourself, and to everyone who'd otherwise be stuck guessing your favorite coffee order, or your favorite song.). Number 6 in the session #2 outline stood out like a sore thumb😮⬆️⬆️⬆️. Ron and I had discussed many options that, given a choice, we would like to see played out! But we had not formally addressed our desires! So... we did! Not only did we make decisions about WHERE our final resting place would be, we meticulously detailed advance planning with the funeral home. We were becoming the CEOs of our own exit strategy....taking care of business our way! 

The Sharpley Family plots were an easy part of our planning. We already owned the real estate, and there were 4 members of the Sharpley family 'laid to rest' here. 

And our decision to use the similar minimalistic granite grave markers made the selection easy, and in keeping with the other 4 markers.

Evergreen Memorial Cemetery helped us decide the details for graveside services, ie tent, chairs, etc. In case of inclement weather, Evergreen offers their lovely indoor facilities at no extra fee.  Prepaying for their services locked in the prices. No, not every minute detail has been planned, but the financial part is soon to be completed.  🙌🙌🙌

Next on the list was Oakey's Funeral Home. 

We, again, knew what we wanted. After contemplating for what seemed like forever, our funeral cost estimates have been paid in full! That's right! Our ducks are in a row! One's handling the flowers, another is in charge of snacks, and the third duck is just there to make sure I don't end up in a polka dot urn by mistake😊. Phew.........#6 in session 2 took longer that I thought it would..............and it ended up being a major expense that was not planned for at the beginning of the class. But one that has brought a sense of relief! 

Week 3: (still a work in progress!)

The class concluded June 30th. My personal notebook is not complete, and the on-going process of adding to my notebook will continue. I have not finished reading the book or filling out the workbook. Honestly, I think the class could have extended for another session!

The class was packed with wisdom and reflection. Following are my humble takeaways:

1. Facing mortality isn't morbid--it's empowering.

2. "Getting your ducks in a row" is an act of love.

3. Clarity is kindness.

4. Wills and trusts aren't just for the wealthy.

5. Advance directives speak when you can't.

6. Digital assets matter.

7. Conversations are just as important as documents.

8. Legacy isn't just legal--it's personal

9. Planning isn't pessimistic--it's proactive. 

Let's face it-----if you don't get your ducks in a row, they'll be waddling in circles without a clue! 

This experience was a 'NEW TO ME AT 76 ' experience. Actually it came in at #76!!!!!!!!!! If you know, you know! 😊😊😊

2025 June 17 ~ The Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club

Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025~ Chugga Chugga Choo Choo and welcome to a world of make-believe:  A visit to the Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club(Our first, but certainly not our last visit; aaaaaand..... this is #71 of 76 'new-to-me' experiences for this year💃💃💃). 

"The RVMRC is a non-profit club that meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 in the basement of the VA Museum of Transportation."  Visitors of all ages are always welcome, and the weekly Tuesday night times are FREE!" 

Stepping into the Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club is like entering a miniature world where imagination meets precision. This hidden gem is a haven for railroad enthusiasts and dreamers alike. The hum of trains on intricate tracks and the warm camaraderie of club members set the tone for an unforgettable experience.

The craftsmanship of the layouts is nothing short of mesmerizing. Every detail--from the carefully weathered buildings to the tiny figures frozen in daily routines-- creates a lifelike representation of railroad history. 

We watched in awe as locomotives glided along their tracks, weaving through tunnels, crossing bridges, and passing through landscapes that transported us to another era! 

The members of the club, each with their own expertise and passion, were eager to share stories, techniques, and the rich history of model railroading. We learned about the meticulous effort behind scenery design, track placement, and even the fine are of painting weathered railcars. It was clear that this was more than a hobby----it was a labor of love. 

A sleepy town with its bustling depot, a countryside farm with grazing cattle, a towering mountain pass--all carefully crafted to spark the imagination. It was a reminder that railroads are not just about transportation but about connection, history, and the spirit of adventure. 

Our visit was more than just an exploration of model trains; it was an immersion into the magic of storytelling, craftsmanship, and community! 

ENJOY THE VIDEO BELOW!

Directions to the Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club: "While facing the Transportation Museum, walk to the right to the end of the building, turn left and walk to the back passing the Jupiter missile. Take a left around the corner and go down the steps, through the door, into the depot."

We are looking forward to going again soon!