"Out of many...One."

After a few weeks of craziness and sporadic travel, we’re looking very much forward to settling back into life as usual…and the cooler temperatures of fall! We made a quick overnight trip to Columbia, Missouri this weekend for Ed to receive an award from the Exercise Tiger Foundation.

The Exercise Tiger Foundation coordinates annual ceremonies honoring veterans, active military, students, citizens and communities deserving recognition for their patriotic or positive actions. It has been around since 1989 and honors veterans of all wars, especially those of Korea and Vietnam. The Tiger Foundation and its chapters are named in memory of the battle of "Exercise Tiger" in WW II and annually recognize this historic pre D-Day Army and Navy exercise and the men who took part in it.

Exercise Tiger was conducted in 1944 and was an eight-day practice run for the Utah Beach landings of the D-Day invasion. During the Exercise, an Allied convoy was attacked, resulting in the deaths of over 900 American servicemen, many of whom were from the State of Missouri.

We attended a banquet Friday evening (click here to view the program), a breakfast Saturday morning, and participated in a military pre-game ceremony at the Mizzou football game. Believe me, my Jayhawk pride was on my sleeve!!! Below are a few images from the festivities of the weekend…

To Ed's left is a WWII Exercise Tiger Survivor. He and his son came from Parsons, Kansas for the festivities of the weekend.

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We were treated to breakfast at Country Kitchen. The folks in front of the group were our very gracious hosts from the Exercise Tiger Foundation. Awards were presented to members of all branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

MSgt Anna Sewell and Maj Edward Ronnebaum (both from the 710th out of Offutt AFB) stand with Col Anthony Johnson, Vice Commander, 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman AFB. Ed and Anna are the first airmen ever from the 710th to receive Exercise Tiger awards.

My fearless soldier and me...

The award winners, and a few other military officials that came out for Military Appreciation Day...

The pre-game field ceremony...that's Ed to the far right.

A crowd shot...a bit too much gold and black for our taste.

A B-2 flyover concluded the pre-game wreath presentation and ceremony.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. I am so very proud of Ed and know how seriously he takes his service to our country and as a health care provider.

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KUDOS to YOU, Sweetie!!!