September 11th Tribute: On a Hill Far Away

This isn't the post I had drafted for today to commemorate September 11th, but I think it is much better than my original — and the pictures speak louder than any words I could write.

Yesterday, after a morning of rambling up and down country roads around Vicksburg, I headed for home — hot, weary, hungry, and thirsty, but happy with the collection of pictures I had captured on my journey.

As I exited the interstate at the Vicksburg National Military Park exit, something caught my eye, and I knew I had one more stop to make. I turned into the park entrance and got out and walked back to the hill beside the road, and this is what I saw ...

Three thousand flags standing proud on a hillside in the Military Park ... far, far away from a place called Ground Zero, and that field in Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon ... in honor of those who lost their lives on that fateful September day nine years ago.

I'm sure memorials like this one can be seen all over America today, as we bow our heads in prayer and remembrance — as one Nation, under God.

Whitewater Fun on the Ocoee River

Before I share my post for today, I'd like to share this quote by President John F. Kennedy: Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, [and] oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty. May God bless and protect the brave men and women who are paying the price ... bearing the burden ... and suffering personal hardships every day ... to ensure that America remains out of harm's way from terrorist attacks like the one we suffered on this day eight years ago.

This is a slideshow featuring some of my vacation pictures I took at the Whitewater Center on the Ocoee River near Copperhill, Tennessee. The Whitewater Center site was constructed for the purpose of holding the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak Slalom competitions.

This was the first time these events were held on a natural river, and it was appropriate the Ocoee should be chosen as the site as it was already one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the world. And, as you can see in the slideshow, they don't call it "whitewater" for nothing!

Below the slideshow, I have included some pictures of wildflowers and berries I discovered growing along the river's edge, if you would like to scroll down and see them.

Be sure and turn your sound up before clicking on "Play"