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Showing posts from 2016

The United States Air Force Memorial – “Honoring Airmen, Preserving Heritage”

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Located across the Potomac River from Washington DC on the grounds of Fort Meyer and sitting atop a promontory that overlooks the Pentagon, the United States Air Force Memorial holds a special place for me not just as the daughter of a decorated 22-year Air Force veteran but as an Air Force veteran myself - though I've certainly got nowhere near as impressive of a service record as my Dad what with only wearing Air Force blue for 5 years before leaving the service upon the birth of my son. In the past few years I've had the opportunity to visit twice but sadly my father never had the chance to see the memorial dedicated to "honor the men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the United States Air Force and its predecessors, such as the Army Air Corps” as he passed away in February 2003 from the effects of Agent Orange that he was exposed to while serving at Da Nang Air Force Base in South Vietnam in 1966-67. Part of the reason that my Dad never

The Merchant - A Marvelous New Boutique Hotel with Awesome Old History in Salem, Massachusetts

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Not too long ago I had the pleasure of wandering up to Salem, Massachusetts to check out a new exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum and the timing was such that during my trip, I was also able to take advantage of a Travelzoo offer and spend a night at one of Salem's newest lodging offerings - The Merchant . An upscale boutique hotel located in one of Salem's historic grand former homes, the mansion has had prior incarnations as the upscale Washington Hotel in the early 19th century, the home of the Higginson Book Company  a tavern and offices of the Carlson Realty Company in the 21st century, as well as being a stop on a few of the very popular Salem Ghost Walks - one of which I was on myself back in October of 2008 and the closest I had ever gotten to the house prior to my stay.  In a city that never seems to have enough accommodations come October when everyone hops on their broomsticks to fly up to Witch City for a month full of Haunted Happenings . I've got no d