Springfield, Illinois - Lincoln Pilgrimage - February 10-12, 2012

Been a busy time with travel leading up to this trip. I was away on business for work and returned home on Thursday (2/9) to unpack and pack again for this trip. So as always it was late to bed and early to rise to travel to Illinois.

I arrived in Springfield, IL a little early, just before 10 local time, and was greeted by Past National Commander Tommie Cisna, his wife Kathy and NEC Bill Geary. Got my luggage and headed to the vehicle for the trip to visit the Illinois Department Headquarters. Once we arrived we met with their staff and I got the nickel tour. They have a great facility and learned that they do all of their own printing to include Legion Family publications. The really cool thing they do is they make all of the materials for the poppies at HQ also. I was told that they make enough materials to make 1 million poppies, that is awesome. Before I left I gave them all one of my pins and thanked them for all of the support they give to The American Legion Family.

From HQ it was off to lunch with Tommie, Kathy, Bill and Detachment Adjutant Jeff Van Horn. Good time we had along with discussing a few items relating to the education of membership moving forward. Sounds like they have some really good ideas.

NEC Bill and I then headed to Springfield to get checked into our hotel. Once there I saw National Commander Fang Wong and his Aide Doug Malin and we chatted before heading up to my room to drop off my things. I got a history lesson that afternoon as NEC Bill, PNC JR Stillwell and I went to the Abraham Lincoln Museum & Library. I must tell you that the museum was awesome and the shows were great. I had an opportunity to see all of the exhibits. Did you know that Lincoln was one of 4 Presidential candidates in 1860? Did you know that he did not get 40% of the popular vote. After the museum visit we returned to the hotel to get ready for a dinner that would make my doctor cringe. Dinner was at Darcy's which is home to the Horseshoe. This was a behemoth of a meal, but it was good. Two pieces of bread on the bottom, your choice of meat (I had ham & bacon), topped with french fries and to top it all off ladles of white cheese. I was told it was a heart attack on a plate. It was good and I almost ate it all, left a few fries.

Saturday was a very good day as I accompanied Commander Butch, National President Kris Nelson and others to the St John's Children's Hospital for a presentation and a tour. Kris and I had a great time on the tour, because we presented Josh Dogs to the kids. After the hospital we visited the Illinois National Guard Museum and took the tour of their Hall of Flags. A lot of history dating back to the Civil War. Finally we visited the home of Abraham Lincoln and took a tour given by the National Park Service. After the tour I had some downtime before the evening events.

Saturday evening we went to dinner at the Old Luxembourg Restaurant - real good food including a fried Lobster. Never had that before, but I got a taste and it was good. I was treated by Squadron 32 in Springfield and their Commander Dave.

Sunday, was the final day n Springfield, but it was the day most of the activities took place around the Lincoln Pilgrimage. Had breakfast with the Detachment staff and members of Squadron 32 before heading off to the Tomb of Lincoln. Once at the tomb, I placed a wreath on behalf of the Sons of The American Legion and gave remarks. Had to have some help with that and I thank PNC Joe Mayne for his assistance.

Commander Fang, President Kris and I did have our picture taken touching Lincoln's nose outside of the tomb. From there we visited the war memorials at the cemetery for WWII, Vietnam & Korea. My last stop of the day was back to the hotel for the luncheon where I gave remarks again and thanked everyone for allowing me to be a part of this event.

My thanks to Squadron 32 in Springfield, IL and the Illinois American Legion Family for the great time - I am honored to have been a part of this event.