Every year on Veteran's Day, I want to read sections of my Grandfather's journal to my kids. He was a soldier & served in WWII.
My Dad has a copy at his house, and I keep meaning to see if I could either get it copied somewhere there, or just write out several sections myself - as you can imagine, he is very protective of it!
The trouble is, I never think of it when we're actually there - just on days like Veterans Day & Memorial Day. I have added it to my "Utah List" for the next trip, and hopefully next year we can read it and I can teach the kids a few things about him and his life.
In the absence of the journal, I thought a trip to the Intrepid Museum would be good. The S.S. New York (the new ship that was made largely from steel reclaimed from the twin towers site) was docked next to it, but no-one was that interested in heading over there, so we just went to the Intrepid.
We had to take Jane to the doctor in the morning, so we went after lunch.
We missed the landing of a Blackhawk helicopter that was at 11am, but it also meant that Rick left work early and met us there. Any day that Daddy gets to join us is super!
We did get a picture with the S.S. New York in the background.
If Jacob ever becomes a fighter pilot - this is exactly what he wants his plane to look like!
Jane hadn't been feeling well. In fact, we took her to the pediatrician right before heading into the city. Double ear infection. Did I take this poor sick baby home? No, I'm afraid it's the curse of being the 4th child. I just went through the drive through of the pharmacy and we gave her a dose of antibiotics and ibuprofen and were on our way. She fell asleep in the stroller as we were getting our tickets and slept the whole time we were there. She woke up much happier!
Of all the things that we got to see on this ship - the thing that probably fascinated the kids the most was this phone. What's that circle thing???? Why is there a cord on it???? How do you dial????
Seriously, this was the phone we had in my house THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL for me.
Yes kids, items from your mother's childhood are now in a museum!
Out on the deck, they had a rescue helicopter. The kids could climb in it and touch all the stuff.
The pilot and a couple of the rescue guys were there answering questions.
Jacob thought it was wonderful, and loved sitting in the pilots seat.
Emily, in the flight simulator.
Jane woke up as we were exiting the gift shop. Sad that she missed it, but it did make the afternoon much easier for the rest of us! (Sorry Jane.) Entry is actually included on our Brooklyn Children's Museum membership - so we can go anytime.
We'll make another trip when Jane isn't under the weather.
We all headed over to Mars 2112 for dinner.
{iPhone photo}
Jane got out to walk, since she'd been in the stroller so long!
I love watching those little legs hurrying to keep up with her Dad. It reminds me of running to keep up with my Dad's long strides when I was a little girl.
{iPhone photo}
We'd never been to Mars 2112 before, and I though it would be fun for the kids, especially Jacob. It's not too far from the Intrepid and not having to move the car was a huge plus.
It's a space themed restaurant. You take a "ride" in a "spaceship" to get there and there are aliens walking around, etc. The layout and decor are supposed to be as if you were on Mars.
Maybe this restaurant was cool when it opened. Don't bother going there now. The "ride" to the restaurant was $2 a person and made me feel kind of sick. The service was TERRIBLE. Seriously, really, really bad. All of that could have been ignored if the food was halfway decent - but it wasn't. It was kind of like Applebee's on it's worst day.
The one "up-side" was that Jacob was convinced we had really gone into space. However, this made him completely terrified of the aliens walking around. He turned his head away whenever they walked by, and stared at them when they weren't looking with eyes like saucers the whole time he was eating - completely on guard. I think he was waiting for it to turn into the Cantina scene from Star Wars!
It was nice to be able to spend this day thinking of my Grandfather, and other veterans who have given so much, that we might have the life we do now.
A happy day in the city for our family!
8 comments:
aw. great shots. now you are making me miss ny. I have great memories of both the intrepid AND Mars 2112- that was a cool place to eat!
You know, you could always get excerpts of grandpa's journal on Dad's family history site: otterson.us.
That's a great post, Tania. Apart from your Dad having my Dad's journal (which incidentally Mike has also promised to copy for Ann and me - hint if you are reading this, Mike!), Sarah did a beautiful project on Dad's life. I have a copy of that and I'm sure Sarah will have one you can copy on your next trip to Utah.
Ruth, if I copy it when we are in Utah, I'll make 3 copies & send one to both you & Ann.
Tania:
I'm touched that you are trying to instill a connection of your Granddad with your kids. Good for you.
Here's the scoop:
1. Go on to Ancestry.com, select Search and then family trees and look for Otterson_2009. Use the index to locate Robert Otterson. I have started to add stuff there because it's such a high traffic site. You can also link from there to www.otterson.us, or just go directly to our site from your browser.
Every word of Dad's journal is transcribed and included in the 20 web pages of information on his life, together with a lot of stuff not in his journal - maps, photographs, all kinds of illustrations and commentary. The original log is in a fireproof, airtight ammunition box, carefully wrapped with more than 120 letters he wrote to my Mum, and in a safe place in the house out of reach of little fingers! The letters are also extracted on our website.
Also, my own grandfather -your great grandfather - fought in Gallipoli in World War 1, as well as the Somme. His brother died fighting alongside him. Their stories are also told on our site. In addition, we have ancestors who were shot down from aircraft, killed in bombing raids or tank battles, served in the Royal Navy, and one who even fought in the American Civil War. So there is plenty to think about next Memorial Day or Veteran's Day.
I'm proud of you for caring about this.
Dad
I love the phone/museum comment. Even I find it hard to believe that we didn't have email or Internet when I was in high school.
Poor Jacob. I can just imagine him with those aliens.
You guys always do great stuff as a family. I really love the photo of Emily & Jane in their matching jackets.
Also, on which side was our American Civil War ancestor fighting? If he was a Southerner we may want to keep that bit of info in the airtight ammunition box!
Great post Tania. I loved the comment about the phone/museum too. I hope they are still available because I have thought about reintroducing them!
Mum xx
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