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| Sarah Unruh and Nathaniel Brown enter the first plane on their way to China. |
I am on an airplane, flying to China. I honestly never thought this day would
come. I think almost all children start
out with the dream to grow up and have great adventures and travel to places
all over the world. I was no
exception. To actually be on a plane and
outside of the United States for the first time in my life is a dream I doubted
would ever become a reality. Beijing,
China is 4,041 miles away from our plane right now. China.... the land so rich with history and
tradition and beauty.
Our first
day was one of excitement and bonding for the eleven students, Dr. and Mrs.
Mullinax, and nurse Lori Vanderpool. We
were not to meet any of our veterans or guests until the next afternoon in the
Chicago O'Hara airport. We had an
exciting evening, with a lot of laughter and jokes that will not be forgotten
as the trip unfolds. As I look around at
our group, I am so thankful for the bond we have already created. There are so many different personalities on
this trip, and we already encourage and enjoy each other so much. Liliana Ovington will be my travel companion
these next ten days. I appreciate so
many things about her already and although we didn't know each other well
before this trip, I thank God that we are together and know that we will be a
great team.
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| Mr. Liberatore wasted no time, and immediately began telling the students stories from his past. |
Traveling
is exciting, but there is a deeper excitement in my heart. We are not just going to see the sights and
taste the food, although we all look forward to those things. This morning, as I shook the hand of Dominick
Liberatore, the veteran that will be my companion and friend for the next ten
days, and as he animatedly told some vivid memories of his adventures in China,
I saw history for what it really is.
History is made up of experiences, feelings, courage and the process of
overcoming one's fears. I could not have anticipated the thrill and excitement
I felt as I listened to my veteran talk.
He remembers the exact times, to the minute, of so many incredible
moments. I was no longer standing in a
Chicago airport with the noises of hundreds of busy people rushing by; I was on a plane near the Statue of Liberty
as Mr. Liberatore piloted it at wild angles, or diving in the Philippines for
his lost ring. I know the things I learn here will never be forgotten, for this
is the way history lives.
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| - Nancy Kelley shares pictures and talks about
growning up in Qingdao. |
The
veterans we met today, William Marsh and Dominick Liberatore, have already
shared so many adventures and stories with us.
Another guest on our trip, Nancy Kelley, brought along a bag full of
photo books and documents of her life in Qingdao. Her excitement and shining eyes were
reflected in the faces of the small crowd of students gathered around her as
she showed us photos, explained Chinese traditions, and told stories of her past. I am so excited to see these places and hear
the historical events that happened from the very people who experienced them.
I feel so blessed and grateful to be on this trip and
cannot wait to share all that I learn in order to keep these moments in history
alive.
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| Mr. Liberatore wasted no time, and immediately
began telling the students stories from his past. |
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