In the morning we will all gather at the Long Beach VA Medical Center about 7:30 a.m. and by 8:00 a.m. take off. The "Walking for Those Who Can't" officially begins. I find it hard to believe that we will finally be walking to the San Diego VA. So much time and energy has gone into this effort by so many people.
I am feeling good. Hopefully, I will be able to sleep tonight. It is hard to put into words how I am feeling right now. A little nervous and a lot excited. So many friends have sent good wishes and several have mentioned how Kenny would be proud. His heart and soul went into this Memorial and to think that this walk may play a small part in making it a reality is overwhelming.
To every disabled veteran - I want you to know that this is for YOU! You deserve all the gratitude and honor that we, as a nation, can muster. Thank you for your service.
I will be calling Kenna along the way and she will update this blog. To my amazing family - Thank you and Mom/Grandma loves you.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday October 15, 2010
TWO MORE DAYS!!! The last day of training was this morning and I can't believe it. My trainer, Devrick, said that I am as ready as I will ever be. More than anything else, I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to share this journey with so many wonderful people. As I have said before, my goal was to create awareness of the Memorial and disabled veterans. Right now, that goal has been met more than I ever thought possible. And, we haven't even started the walk!!
It has been an emotional day for me. My amazing son-in-law Matt called this morning and told me that a local TV station plans to be at the Long Beach VA on Monday morning for the send off. He had emailed several TV stations and one of them responded. They had already received the press releases, but his email put the final plan into action! I was in the Costco parking lot and was jumping up and down realizing that someone might have thought I had lost it. Well, I had!! My thoughts immediately turned to Kenny and how much I wished he were here to join us on this journey. I can just hear him laughing and saying, "Diane, go for it!!!" He will be with us all the way.
Spoke with a wonderful man in Florida this morning, Lyle. Last night he made a request for his DAV Chapter to donate $2000.00 to the Memorial in the name of the walk. To his great delight, they voted to do just that! He is the Chaplain for that Chapter and we talked for a while. He told me as we were saying goodbye, "Diane, walk in Gods footsteps." That is just what I plan to do.
So, as you can see, I am excited and emotional tonight. God is good.
It has been an emotional day for me. My amazing son-in-law Matt called this morning and told me that a local TV station plans to be at the Long Beach VA on Monday morning for the send off. He had emailed several TV stations and one of them responded. They had already received the press releases, but his email put the final plan into action! I was in the Costco parking lot and was jumping up and down realizing that someone might have thought I had lost it. Well, I had!! My thoughts immediately turned to Kenny and how much I wished he were here to join us on this journey. I can just hear him laughing and saying, "Diane, go for it!!!" He will be with us all the way.
Spoke with a wonderful man in Florida this morning, Lyle. Last night he made a request for his DAV Chapter to donate $2000.00 to the Memorial in the name of the walk. To his great delight, they voted to do just that! He is the Chaplain for that Chapter and we talked for a while. He told me as we were saying goodbye, "Diane, walk in Gods footsteps." That is just what I plan to do.
So, as you can see, I am excited and emotional tonight. God is good.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
THREE MORE DAYS TO GO
It is getting close! So many people have worked hard for this walk to be a success. It is a tribute to the men and women who served and became disabled. This is for them!
The send off at the Long Beach VA will be at the Patriot Park on the hospital grounds. The best way to go is to enter off of Bellflower Blvd. onto Sam Johnson Rd. Park in Parking lot "P" on the left. Then walk up Carob Rd, to the green area right behind the main building of the hospital. The program will start at 7:30 a.m. and the send off will be at 8:00 a.m.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there. God bless each and every one of you.
The send off at the Long Beach VA will be at the Patriot Park on the hospital grounds. The best way to go is to enter off of Bellflower Blvd. onto Sam Johnson Rd. Park in Parking lot "P" on the left. Then walk up Carob Rd, to the green area right behind the main building of the hospital. The program will start at 7:30 a.m. and the send off will be at 8:00 a.m.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there. God bless each and every one of you.
Monday, October 11, 2010
October 11.2010
Woohoo!!! 18 1/2 miles on Saturday! I was so excited. A good friend, Marie, walked the first 10 1/2 miles with me. It is amazing how much faster the time goes when you have someone to talk with along the way. To my surprise, I felt good. Good enough to come home, walk with Amber (my dog), eat dinner, shower and go to church. I have to admit that I was concerned that I would not be able to get out of bed Sunday morning. Actually, felt good Sunday morning. All the working out has definitely made the difference. God is good.
One week from today and we will be walking from the Long Beach VA to Newport Beach. The time has gone by so fast. So many people have helped with this effort. I always said that my goal was to create awareness of the Memorial and of disasbled veterans. THAT HAS HAPPENED!!! So many more people know about the Memorial and disabled veterans now.
Thank you for your interest and encouragement. Counting down the days!!!
One week from today and we will be walking from the Long Beach VA to Newport Beach. The time has gone by so fast. So many people have helped with this effort. I always said that my goal was to create awareness of the Memorial and of disasbled veterans. THAT HAS HAPPENED!!! So many more people know about the Memorial and disabled veterans now.
Thank you for your interest and encouragement. Counting down the days!!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
October 6, 2010
Hi Everyone,
We are counting down the days and the walk is coming fast. Just for clarification, the dates of the walk are:
October 18 Start at Long Beach VA 7:30 a.m. Meet at Hospital 8:00 a.m. Depart
October 19 Begin at Jamboree Rd. Newport Beach 8:00 a.m.
October 20 Begin at Del Prado and Golden Lantern Rd Dana Point 8:00 a.m.
October 21 Begin at Las Pulgas Rd at Camp Pendleton 8:00 a.m.
October 22 Begin at Carlsbad Blvd and S. Coast Hwy Carlsbad 8:00 a.m.
October 23 Begin at Camino Del Mar and Hwy 101 in Del Mar 8:00 a.m.
Looking forward to seeing how many people come out and walk with us. It will be quite an adventure!
We are counting down the days and the walk is coming fast. Just for clarification, the dates of the walk are:
October 18 Start at Long Beach VA 7:30 a.m. Meet at Hospital 8:00 a.m. Depart
October 19 Begin at Jamboree Rd. Newport Beach 8:00 a.m.
October 20 Begin at Del Prado and Golden Lantern Rd Dana Point 8:00 a.m.
October 21 Begin at Las Pulgas Rd at Camp Pendleton 8:00 a.m.
October 22 Begin at Carlsbad Blvd and S. Coast Hwy Carlsbad 8:00 a.m.
October 23 Begin at Camino Del Mar and Hwy 101 in Del Mar 8:00 a.m.
Looking forward to seeing how many people come out and walk with us. It will be quite an adventure!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Two Weeks to GO!!!
I am getting excited!! As I drove to the gym this morning, I looked around and realized that we will be walking right by the gym on the 18th of October. It made me work harder than ever today.
The news media alerts will be going out today or tomorrow and I am hoping there will be some interest in the walk and the Memorial. So many people are coming together to make this event memorable. I am trying not to look too far ahead and take each day as it comes. So many details to be ironed out. We are having the second and final meeting this Friday night. I know we will have it all organized and ready to go.
Walked this afternoon in the rain here in HB. Figured that it might be raining during the walk, so might as well see how it feels. It was good. Just have to watch where you step or you kind of slide around. That would not be good!
Getting hungry, so must fix myself some yummy chicken, peas, and angel hair pasta. A high protein diet can be a little boring, but necessary right now.
More later!
The news media alerts will be going out today or tomorrow and I am hoping there will be some interest in the walk and the Memorial. So many people are coming together to make this event memorable. I am trying not to look too far ahead and take each day as it comes. So many details to be ironed out. We are having the second and final meeting this Friday night. I know we will have it all organized and ready to go.
Walked this afternoon in the rain here in HB. Figured that it might be raining during the walk, so might as well see how it feels. It was good. Just have to watch where you step or you kind of slide around. That would not be good!
Getting hungry, so must fix myself some yummy chicken, peas, and angel hair pasta. A high protein diet can be a little boring, but necessary right now.
More later!
Friday, October 1, 2010
October 1, 2010
What a GREAT DAY! Worked out this morning and then walked 13 1/2 miles. My feet don't hurt and I can still walk! Things are looking good.
Found out yesterday that the send off at the Long Beach VA Medical Center is going to be a festive occasion. The medical center and the DAV-CA (organized by Mike Burns) are joining together to send all walkers off in grand style. There will be refreshments, a balloon arch to walk through and several brochures and flyer's about the Memorial and the Commemorative Coin. After talking to Jim Galliher (DAV National Service Office Supervisor - S.D.) it seems that the arrival at the San Diego VA Medical Center is also going to be quite an event. Refreshments and a great group of disabled veterans to welcome us to San Diego. We are, of course, hoping to get some news coverage. That would be very exciting!
My goal has been, and will always be, to create awareness for the Memorial and all disabled veterans. The walk is coming up fast and even though I get nervous at times, I am confident that it will be an uplifting and emotional journey. As much as I miss my guy, I know that Kenny will be walking right beside me all the way. Life is good and I am so thankful to my amazing family, my steadfast friends and most of all to God for the opportunity to give just a little back.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Found out yesterday that the send off at the Long Beach VA Medical Center is going to be a festive occasion. The medical center and the DAV-CA (organized by Mike Burns) are joining together to send all walkers off in grand style. There will be refreshments, a balloon arch to walk through and several brochures and flyer's about the Memorial and the Commemorative Coin. After talking to Jim Galliher (DAV National Service Office Supervisor - S.D.) it seems that the arrival at the San Diego VA Medical Center is also going to be quite an event. Refreshments and a great group of disabled veterans to welcome us to San Diego. We are, of course, hoping to get some news coverage. That would be very exciting!
My goal has been, and will always be, to create awareness for the Memorial and all disabled veterans. The walk is coming up fast and even though I get nervous at times, I am confident that it will be an uplifting and emotional journey. As much as I miss my guy, I know that Kenny will be walking right beside me all the way. Life is good and I am so thankful to my amazing family, my steadfast friends and most of all to God for the opportunity to give just a little back.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)