New Orleans - Take Two

The Train Car Experience

After a beautiful drive along the I-10 we began our day at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. To honor Marc's Uncle Ralph, Marc became a charter member of the museum, not knowing if he'd ever have the opportunity to see or experience it. This is a real bonus to have been called to serve in Louisiana.  "It celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and the Home Front."     

Our first stop in the museum was the "Train Car Experience," a simulation of what it might have been like to leave home and go off to war, not knowing if you'd ever return. What an emotional way to begin a day of patriotism. We walked through the train station and onto the Pullman car, then the train left the station. It was tear jerking to feel how some of them must've felt as they left home--some for the last time. The train actually began to rumble and the film leaving the station and crossing the countryside began to roll outside the windows.   

"Beyond All Boundaries" is a 4D film that briefly covers from Pearl Harbor & the US involvement in the war "into the fire of epic battles to America's final victory." But prior to the film is a pre-show that sets the stage and gives a glimpse into life in America in the late 30's & early 40's when our armed forces had more horses than tanks and our military was ranked 18th in the world, after Romania!  I didn't know that!                                                                                                                                                  As for the actual film, narrated by Tom hanks, there are hardly words to express my feelings of gratitude and reverence for the millions who gave their lives in "The War That Changed The World."  I could give a thorough description of the movie, thanks to the internet, but that would just be paraphrasing others. So an expression of my feelings will have to do.   

For years I've looked at the pictures of Eisenhower down our hallway without appreciating them to the fullest, listened to Kimberlee recite "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" (a poem about Iwo Jima) and pushed a button and listened to Eisenhower's D-Day message "Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! . . The eyes of the world are upon you.  You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. . .The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. Your task will not be an easy one. . . Good Luck! And let us all beseech blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

But my appreciation goes much deeper now, and I wish every American would see this film. 

The last line of the film says something looks "this film is dedicated to all those who sacrifice to preserve liberty."  And I will add this scripture from John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

So my eternal gratitude to those who've made it possible for me, my children, my grandchildren and generations to come, to grow up in this land, "choice above all other lands," where I can think, speak, worship, pray, read, work, love, travel because you helped make it possible.  God Bless You and God Bless America!

Before leaving we had lunch at Chef John Besh's restaurant, American Sector, "on-campus" at the museum. I've known about Chef Besh's cooking talents for years but what I didn't know is that he's a former marine who did a 10 month tour in Desert Storm and says that the museum represents sacred ground.  In his words: "I'm in awe of the sacred ground that this institution represents by honoring the lives and valor of those that kept us free from tyranny.  It's my honor to be a partner in that."  This may not be one of his upscale restaurants but fun nonetheless. I tried the Perfect Pig Po'boy (pork shoulder, pork belly, ham & marinated vegetables) while Marc expanded his culinary horizon to try apple cider vinegrette on his chef salad. Baby steps but still something new!  When we left my eating space looked like a 2 year old had dined there! The roll was so light and crusty and crumbs went everywhere--table, chair & floor.  My apologies to the clean up committee:(