It has been two months since his third major surgery, and our youngest wanted to give everyone a quick update and share a few pictures to let you know what he has been up to.
Feeling good at two months!
It has been a LONG two months (but who's counting, ha!). True to form, he has been a trooper the entire time.
He was able to begin bearing weight on his legs fairly quickly because everything had been "rigidly fixated" with plates and screws, but it was easier said than done with both legs in short casts and knee immobilizers.
Standing and initial steps
After a few weeks, we felt comfortable enough to get him out of the house (with much effort, since he was basically non-weight bearing), and we headed up to Maryland to start his PT!
Ready for his first PT session
Much of the first six weeks was spent keeping his legs straight and hanging out in his wheelchair.
His usual daytime set-up
School here didn't get out until June 23rd, so there was still lots of school work to be done. He studied on his own during the day and then met with homebound instructors after school five days a week.
Working hard to keep current with school from home
He also figured out creative ways to keep his drum sticks moving. He can't wait until he can cut loose on the drum set like he used to before the surgery. The first two songs he plans to play when he sits down on the throne are Queen's "The Show Must Go On" and Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On."
Practicing his paradiddles
We've also had some laughs with friends who wanted to drop in and say "hi."
Having a fun visit with some faves from WT Woodson
At the six-week mark, we headed back up to Baltimore for his first post-op appointment with his amazing surgeon. Dr. S. took lots of xrays and thought things were healing well enough that his casts could come off and he could switch over to walking air casts that are removable.
Sharing a laugh at the post-op
Talk about a life changer! These removable casts have been made life so much easier!!
Removable air casts
In the last week or so, we got him a new walker that he's using as he learns to walk again. He's doing great with it, but he is eager to start walking on his own again, without assistance.
Recovery and rehab from this one has been challenging, but this kid is determined, and he'll get there, one step at a time!
We couldn't think of a better thing to do with our former (but always a) Marine on his 50th birthday than watching the Evening Parade at the USMC Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. Known locally as "8th and I" due to its geographic location, this post was established in 1801 and is the oldest post of the Marine Corps.
Every Friday night during the summer months, Marine Barracks Washington puts on an evening parade and drill that is open to the public.
As luck would have it, the not-uncommon-in-the-summer afternoon thunderstorms and rains let up just hours before the parade was set to start, and we even caught glimpses of the sun and beautifully colorful skies as the sun was setting.
Sweltering in our seats as we waited for the Evening Parade to start
Marine Barracks Washington is the home of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and our seats were at the end of the parade ground quite near the beautiful Commandant's Residence. The Commandant's Residence, constructed in 1806, has been the home of each of the Commandants of the Marine Corps since it was built, and it is the only original building still standing at this post.
The Commandant's Residence at the edge of the parade ground
Marine Barracks Washington has also been the home of the U.S. Marine Band since 1801, and it was here that John Philip Sousa, while serving as Director of the band, wrote many of his marches.
The Evening Parade featured concerts by both of the resident bands: the U.S. Marine Band ("The President's Own"), and the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps.
Beautiful skies at the start of the parade as the sun was setting
"The President's Own" (U.S. Marine Band)
Here's a brief snippet of the U.S. Marine Band passing by to give you the flavor . . .
as well as a short video from the Drum & Bugle Corps concert later in the evening:
Getting to know a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps.
"The President's Own"
Both bands combined
Another highlight was watching the "Silent Drill Platoon" perform. They were mostly on the other side of the parade ground so we didn't get any good pictures to share, but we were mesmerized by the coordination and precision with which they flung and spun their 10.5-pound rifles (with bayonets fixed, which added even more weight!). Thankfully there were no mishaps.
Forming up the Battalion
Before retiring the colors and playing "Taps" to conclude the evening, we got to see the entire Battalion march before us in the "Pass and Review." It was an impressive sea of identical bodies, all moving as one.
Pass in Review
What a great way to spend a summer evening . . . "oorah" to the Marines and Semper Fidelis!
Even the rainy weather couldn't put a damper on the 4th of July celebrations down at George Washington's lovely Mount Vernon estate last week. We don't have any photos of our own to share because our reenactors were busy reenacting and their phones stayed hidden in their haversacks, so we are sharing, with permission, a few of the beautiful photos taken by fellow First Virginian, Troy Corbett, to give you the flavor of the day.
Photo by Troy Corbett
The esteemed General once again hosted the festivities.
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
Benjamin Franklin was given the honor of reading the Declaration of Independence.
Photo by Troy Corbett
The First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line was there to help add excitement.
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
They conducted military drills . . .
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
and firing demonstrations . . .
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
and even posted guards to stand watch at the front of the mansion.
Photo by Troy Corbett
Photo by Troy Corbett
General Washington also took advantage of the opportunity to inspect his troops, making sure to point out those who were in violation of the facial hair regulations (including our oldest son, much to his chagrin, though he wasn't the most flagrant violator that day).
Photo by Troy Corbett
It was a day filled with good cheer and an appropriate amount of reverence for the sacrifices of our forefathers that resulted in the founding of an independent nation based upon ideals of basic rights and freedoms that we still enjoy today.
While the rest of us were sleeping on the eve of Memorial Day, the members of the First Virginia Regiment were keeping watch in the rain at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution in Alexandria, VA.
Photo credit to Andrea Cochrane Tracey
The tomb is discreetly located in the corner of the churchyard cemetery at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Unlike the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery just down the road, this tomb only gets a handful of visitors each day. For those of you interested in learning more, the following links will tell you more about the site:
Members of the regiment that participated in the vigil stood at rigid attention with muskets shouldered, conducting shift changes every hour on the hour, for the entire 24 hours leading up to a wreath laying ceremony that took place on Memorial Day.
Kitted out for the ceremony
Waiting for the ceremony to begin
Raising the flag--Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
21-Gun Salate--Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Photo credit to Michael Itamura
Our First Virginians report that it was an incredible honor to stand vigil over the tomb that represents the sacrifices our forefathers made to secure the freedoms and liberty we enjoy today. Our blessings abound!
