a little vacation with a whole lot of history

We decided to do something a little different, a little more educational for our vacation this year.  Actually it was something Benny wanted to do, so we all said okay.  We had never been to a Presidential Library and we had never been to Abilene, Kansas so off we went.  To explore new territory, where no Berns had gone before, cue the Star Trek theme music...

Seriously, when planning your summer vacation, does a Presidential Library and museum top your list, much less a little town in Kansas that is not Dodge City?  Abilene is better known as being a cowtown that was home to Wild Bill Hickok, okay now I have your attention.  We thought it was funny to see the sign still hanging that asks you to check your guns dated 1871.

Abilene, Kansas is a small town with a lot of history and we truly enjoyed exploring the historical sites and seeing some new countryside.  President Eisenhower grew up in Abilene and the museum and library are located on the grounds around his boyhood home.  We were able to tour the home and also visit the chapel where he and Mamie are buried.  I must admit it was very informative and not stuffy.  In the museum, Em and I enjoyed the fashion statement set by Mamie, whereas Benny and Phillip spent more time in the World War II historical section reading about the hero who was General Dwight D. Eisenhower.  We all had fun with the interactive kiosks set throughout the museum, especially playing 1950 trivia and answering the $64,000 question.

The Founding Fathers exhibit was also on display and at this time of political angst and polarization it was interesting to see that political thought hasn't changed all that much.  The question being debated then as now was how much should government intervene in the lives of the American people.  The big difference being the placement of God in the debate.  As persons with dignity created in the image of God, how does government provide those basic needs, those truths that are self evident?

There was a sense of what having true dignity meant, being created in the image of God.  I think that in this day and time that sense has been lost in relativism, socialism and a misguided sense of what it means to be free.

 Walking through the exhibit, I was so thankful that my kids could see this and experience a time in history that was so much a part of Benny's and my life.  Eisenhower was President when I was born and was the last president to be born in the 19th Century.  He decided to run for president in May of 1952 and was elected in November of 1952.  A campaign of less than six months, oh please bring that concept back.  Can you imagine, not having to listen to blah, blah, blah for two years?  Be still my heart.

On the grounds, centered between the Library and the Museum, is a lovely little rose garden.

A little heat stressed, but blooming nonetheless, these beautiful roses were dedicated to Flight 93 that was downed on September 11th.  It was our last stop on our self-guided tour and for just a few minutes I forgot the heat, forgot how long I had been on my feet and just remembered....