Air Force Warriors in Nevada

What an inspiring visit to Nellis Airforce Base in Las Vegas, NV. Many thanks to our tireless board member Gen. Norm Lezy (USAF,ret.) for making the arrangements. We braved 108 degree heat with our terrific guide, Lt. Col Tony Millicamp. U R the best, Tony. We began our visit with ThanksUSA scholarship winner Derek Sterling who is a military spouse taking care of his young son while his wife Sara completes her tour of duty. Derek is completing his undergraduate degree in social work. We hope Derek and Sara can attend our ThanksUSA gala in Washington DC this fall once they are settled in their new lives. We also enjoyed meeting Col Greg Dodson who just returned to Nellis from a tour at the Pentagon.

Our day continued with a fascinating tour of the strategic warfare command center where we viewed Soviet and other military aircraft and anti-aircraft weaponry. The highlight of the tour was a visit with the Thunderbirds, the elite Air Force demonstration team. Sgt. Dan Lawson who is about to join the Thunderbird team gave us a firsthand look at their jets and hanger while giving us a real sense of the espirit de corps that permits this group to represent so admirably the world's finest air force, the United States Air Force. You rock, Dan.

As we departed Las Vegas we visited the mobile USO center managed so capably by Pam Fairbanks. The new USO now brings its brand of service to military personnel directly to the troops through one stop shopping mobile vans. We plan another USO visit in Chicago, thanks to Lynly Boor with USO's worldwide headquarters in DC. Thx, Lynly.

Off to the west with visits to awe inspiring national parks in Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota.
We will also see Utah's senior Senator, Orrin Hatch, a strong and early supporter of ThanksUSA's scholarship program for the kids and spouses of the troops.

Enchanting New Mexico

!Hola! from New Mexico, land of true enchantment! We rumbled up to our Aunt Lisa's house on Saturday, August 11th on a dirt road; an everyday-sort-of-magical telltale of the forget-me-not weekend to come.

The town of Truth or Consequences is the true meaning of America to me. You have people of all shapes, sizes, personalities grappling with their own lives and yet still leaving their doors wide open to those who need their neighbors whatever situation it might be. Whether it's more hot chocolate, an extra floaty for swimming, or just a needed "hello!", I was in awe of how close and friendly EVERYONE was in this small town. And to delve into more of the warmth of this town, we visited the town museum.

I guess being a treasure hunter comes in handy at these museums with the ability of plucking facts off their vines of knowledge! Devour these fun facts:

• The town of TorC was originally called Hot Springs


• Hot Springs changed its name to Truth or Consequences after a winning a contest sponsored by Ralph Edwards, star of the hit television and radio show of the same name
  

The great Apache chief, Geronimo, dipped his face into a hot spring well years ago and gave the water a special blessing received by all who relax there.
Just like our trip, this is just a sampler taste of the history of New Mexico and the background of the hidden gem of a town strung on America's jeweled necklace. Learn more about TorC and send it to us! You just might see your fact in Treasure Hunt III!

The next day, we set out for Elephant Butte, a spectacular lake of elegant blue that surrounded an enormous rock formation that looked like a wise old elephant with the rock's texture seeming like his weathered wrinkles. We were once again swept off our feet by the waves of generosity the flowed from my aunt's neighbors, John, Marilyn and Jessie, who provided floaties, laughter, an aborable lab named Bo and most of all their open arms and company. We tried seadoos for the first time -- such a blast!

John grilled a great dinner lakeside and then entertained us with his guitar and country tunes. Both John and Jess are veterans (Jess of Iraqi Freedom and John from Viet Nam), so we enjoyed sharing with them the mission of ThanksUSA.

We are off to Arizona tomorrow after a fun-filled weekend.

More photos from San Antonio

Finally . . . photos are up from second set of San Antonio meetings. Here are Rachel and Kelsi with scholarship recipient James Johnson and our new friend from the USO, and with Sonia Medina from the AT&T Foundation, and with scholarship recipients Robin Butcher, Candice Corte and Courtney Banayad along with Robin's kids and Candice's mom.