"The Shot Heard Round the World"

We drove from VA with grandson Andy to Lexington, MA, picked up grandson Bobby and began our tour
at Lexington Green then along the Battle Road
to the Old North Bridge at Concord.

Groton, CT - The Submarine Force Museum - USS Nautilus
The First Nuclear Submarine

I carried mementos of my Dad's ship, the WWII Cruiser Philadelphia (CL41) on to our tour of the Submarine Philadelphia (SSN690)

We toured the Philly for 2 hours with wonderful input from the crew and veterans back for the Reunion/Decommissioning

Below we're all dressed up for the banquet.
At the right the next day it was back to the dock
for the decommissioning ceremony.

The ceremony was solemnnly impressive and followed by a reception. Official Navy Photos More Pictures of SSN 690
Articles:
USS Philadelphia 'Finishes Strong' Following 33-Year Service Cold War veteran also made its mark in post-9/11 world

Boston - Museum of Science - Waiting for our Duck Boat Tour

Andy got to drive the Duck Boat

We walked the entire Freedom Trail - 2.5 miles of history
One if by land; Two if by sea - The Old North Church

A side trip to Forest City, PA - the town where I spent summers visiting my grandmother.

At right: St John's Greek Catholic Church where Andy's great grandparents Frank and Helen Paukstis were married.

Below: The Miners' Memorial
Andy's great-great grandfathers Stanley Paukstis & Gregory Dupkanich worked in the mines in the early 20th century

50 years ago we kids spent a lot of time on Blueberry Hill. Some of the bushes still remain.

On the road from Forest City to Browndale Andy was able to "pick coal" just like in the old days.
Here are photos of the old days: http://www.brigs.us/portfolio/historical-photos-Browndale-PA-mining.htm

Old and New Sources of Power - Coal and the Windmills in the Background

Gettysburg National Cemetery - Lincoln's Gettysburg Address