American legion state

We left the cold windy town of Redmond and headed over the mountain pass to Salem. Thankfully we were in daylight hours. I sat in the back and crocheted as I hate driving and or watching travel on bad roads. Mark and his dad love to visit and observe. 

The next day after our rest at the assisted living center who also rents out rooms we heard these two speak at the American Legion Contest. Mark was the clear winner but we all encouraged the young lady to try again and prepare for next year. 

Mark had torn the suit jacket a few weeks before. Thankfully Grandma Saunders is a master seamstress and wove the fabric back together and reattached the pockets, while I hemmed the pants to fit better in the hour before we started our trip. He looked very sharp. 

Showing off his new gold plated medal. 

The contest was much smaller this year. I was sad that few of the familiar vets were there. The women's post has taken over the state contest at least for this year. They were a funny group of non-sleepers. The chairperson welcomed us the evening before and informed us she would sleep when the contest was over! She did in fact do just that. I was thankful for some rest. Again this is independent learning. Mark spent many evenings listening to educational lectures from Hillsdale College professors. He has taken college level courses in history and government and he reads and reads. Mostly farming information but also some history. I'm thankful my kids are curious. And I'm thankful Greg listens every night to speeches again and again. Life is good and we are blessed. The next day traveling back to Redmond the roads were clear and we made it in time to see Addie and REed compete in their final Ag Issue presentation.